Robin tests negative for illegal drugs
SENATOR Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla who earlier noted it is better to have a voluntary drug test instead of a mandatory one citing that mandatory tests may violate human rights underwent a voluntary drug testing at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Quezon City Wednesday morning.
Padilla tested negative for shabu and marijuana.
Padilla reiterated his support for the PDEA in its war on drugs, and called on fellow civilians to do the same, saying the drug menace is comparable to terrorism, only it is from within our homes.
For his part, PDEA director-general Wilkins Villanueva said the PDEA’s drug test can detect all dangerous drugs declared by the United Nations.
Villanueva added the PDEA is open to civilians, including actors, to undergo drug tests.
“Itong war on drugs mas matindi sa terrorism. Ito (banta ng droga) nasa loob ng mga bahay natin. Kaya ako ay nakikiisa,” Padilla said.
“Itong ginagawa po natin ay padugtong ito noong kampanya ng ating dating Pangulo sa war on drugs,” Padilla said after giving a urine sample to the PDEA.
“Mainam po na ang parte nating mga sibilyan, tulungan natin ang awtoridad, na huwag sila dagdagan pa ng palaisipan,” he added.
The movie actor who topped the 2022 senatorial election said he took the voluntary test in reaction to Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers’ proposal for actors to submit themselves to a substance test before they go to work.
“Tayo ay nakikiisa sa layuning maprotektahan ang ating mga kababayan sa kapahamakan ng iligal na droga. Kasama na rito ang mga kapwa kong artista. Ngunit hindi maaaring obligahin ang sinuman na magpa-drug test, dahil maaaring labag ito sa kanilang karapatang pantao,” he said after taking the test following talks with top PDEA officials led by Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva.
The senator insisted that instead of actors, officials of the government must be the ones to undergo a mandatory drug testing.
PNP CHIEF AZURIN CALLS ON FELLOWS TO PROMOTE DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
Philippine National Police chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. maintained the need for all government officials, active and retired to promote a drug-free workplace in the country.
He particularly cited former PNP chief, now retired Gen. Debold M. Sinas whom he said must be emulated by others when it comes to ensuring their employees and other staff are free from substance abuse.
Since Friday last week, 103 members of the Okada Manila Security and Safety Department under Sinas have tested negative for methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and THC or Tetrahydrocannanibol which is the principal psychoactive constituent of marijuana.
The 103 submitted their urine specimen to personnel of the PNP Forensic Group. Sinas said that the random drug testing of their personnel is in line with the Okada Manila policy to promote a drug-free workplace.
“Napakagandang approach ang ginagawa ni Gen. Sinas. That is helping us address the problem on drug supply and drug demand. Sana other agencies and establishment, even giant networks and the Actors’ Guild will follow suit,” the PNP chief said.
The ex-PNP chief who is now managing the Okada security division said he would ask the management to subject all their other personnel to a similar test.
He said that he will recommend the outright dismissal of any Okada security personnel who will test positive for substance abuse in line with RA 9165.
Sinas said they are one with the national government and the PNP in promoting Article V of RA 9165 which calls for the promotion of drug-free workplaces. As such, he said they are ensuring that such program will include the mandatory drafting and adoption of company policies against drug use in the workplace in close consultation and coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment, labor and employer organizations and human resource development managers.
Section 50 of RA 9165 maintains that the labor sector and their respective partners may secure the technical assistance, such as but not limited to seminars and information dissemination campaigns of the appropriate government and law enforcement agencies which include the national police.
Gen. Azurin also expressed his full support to calls to drug test celebrities and other workers in order for them to help promote a drug-free workplace and environment in the country.
“It’s a good recommendation as celebrities are the role models of the youth. They should be impeccable. Kaya sana drug-free lahat ng artista natin, they must volunteer to take a drug test,” the top cop told newsmen at Camp Crame.
The calls were made following the arrest of actor Dominic Roco-a son of veteran actor Bembol Roco- and four others in an anti-narcotics operation conducted by agents of the Quezon City Police District last Saturday.
News of actors and actresses being arrested and jailed for illegal drug trafficking or possession is not new in the country since the 1990s. With Alfred Dalizon
