The Palace said Senator Robin Padilla’s proposal requiring all elected and appointed officials to undergo mandatory annual drug testing is unconstitutional.
Senate Bill No. 1200, which Padilla filed earlier this week, would mandate yearly testing for officials, including the President and Vice President, with results to be submitted to the Civil Service Commission. The bill describes the measure as a form of accountability and part of efforts to reduce drug use in communities.
Malacañang rejected the measure, pointing to the Supreme Court’s 2008 ruling in Social Justice Society vs. Dangerous Drugs Board, which struck down similar provisions. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro explained that universal testing violates the Constitution and the right to privacy.
“So ang nais po ni Senator Robin Padilla ay lahat ng elected public at public officers. Sana po ay nabasa niya na po ang desisyon ng Korte patungkol po dito, Social Justice Society versus Dangerous Drugs Board 2008, kung saan hindi po hinahayaan at ito ay labag sa Konstitusyon at sa privacy,” Castro said.
She clarified that the law only allows random drug testing, not blanket or universal programs.
“Kung lahat po, pag sinabi po nating lahat—universal testing, mandatory, universal or universal testing—ang allowed lamang po ay ang random drug testing. So baka magsayang lang po ng oras at pera, pondo si Senator Robin Padilla. Aralin po muna niya po ang nais niyang gawing batas,” she added.
Castro further explained her position, saying, “Hindi ko sinasabing hindi ako pabor. Yan ay labag sa batas.”
The Commission on Human Rights also reaffirmed that accountability measures must respect constitutional protections. CHR officials pointed out that while government has a duty to address drug use, any policy must remain within the boundaries set by the Supreme Court.
