Senator chief of staff Robin Padilla has called for allowing senators to debate and decide on the bill that seeks to make mandatory drug testing every year for the President and all elected and appointed government officials.
According to Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado, it is clear that the Supreme Court ruled in 2008 against universal drug testing. But he insisted that the context of Padilla's proposal is different and that it should be discussed in the Senate. “If the Court finds that there is sufficient state interest, it can still pass as constitutional,” he explained.
Jurado added that it is the duty of those in high positions in government to serve as examples of integrity. He said that if it is enacted, it is the Court's job to decide whether it is unconstitutional.
Padilla stressed that integrity measures such as drug testing are important to ensure that officials are free from the influence of illegal drugs and demonstrate leadership by example.
