LAKAS-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Wednesday took a drug test and yielded a negative result.

Duterte, Lakas-CMD and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chairperson, said she underwent drug test upon the request of her running mate, presidential aspirant former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) who on Tuesday submitted his negative drug test result to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“Today (Wednesday), I took a drug test that yielded negative of any illegal substances. This test, I took voluntarily upon the request of my UniTeam partner, Senator Bongbong Marcos, to support the call for transparency as aspiring public officials seeking the trust of our fellow Filipinos,” Duterte said in a statement released by Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, Duterte’s spokesperson.

“Uniteam BBM-Sara’s stand against illegal drugs is united and unequivocal. This can be seen from both our negative tests as well as our common stance against the proliferation of illegal drugs and the need for effective measures of prevention, rehabilitation, and enforcement,” Duterte said.

“As important as the war against illegal drugs is, other compelling issues continue to challenge our country’s ability to provide long-term safety and security for our people. Therefore, it is crucial in this electoral season that we focus on the substantial qualifications of those that seek to lead our country. Particularly, that we examine our presidential and vice presidential candidates under the lens of competence and experience – an infallible ability to manage crisis through policy and practice built up through years of executive, legislative, and administrative exposure; a proven track record of delivering security and development; and a clear and tested platform for job security and sustainable livelihood,” Duterte stressed.

“Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang naghihirap. Gamitin natin ang pagkakataong ito upang magkaisa sa pagpili ng pamumunong tapat at sapat sa ating layunin na ang ating bansa ay maging maayos, masagana at mapayapa. Maraming Salamat po,” Duterte ended.

On Tuesday, Marcos bared to media that he underwent drug test Monday in a hospital in Metro Manila and tested negative for illegal substance after President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte announced that a presidential candidate was using cocaine.

“I really don’t feel that I am the one being alluded to. In spite of that, I believe it is my inherent duty as an aspiring public official to assure my fellow Filipinos that I am against illegal drugs,” Marcos, standard-bearer of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) who sealed an alliance with Duterte for next year’s polls, said.

Marcos reiterated to the public, especially the BBM-Sara Uniteam supporters that he is and will remain an anti-illegal drugs crusader.

Like what he did in 2016 presidential elections, Marcos also appealed to all presidential aspirants to undergo drug test.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco