JDV TO LEAD HOUSE IN DRUG TEST

SPEAKER Jose de Venecia Jr. is more than willing to lead the
236-member House of Representatives and their employees in a drug
test, which is part of the Dangerous Drugs Board program to make
government offices free of illegal drugs.

De Venecia said the DDB program is a positive step towards a
"drug-free" Congress where some employees have been dismissed in the
past for suspected illegal drug use.

Only recently, a House employee was arrested by police after he
attacked a policeman when he tried to check his car entering the
Batasan complex. Some House workers who knew the suspect said he was a
"known drug user" who has figured in altercations with other
congressional personnel in the past.

Deputy Secretary General Noel Albano of the House Public Relations and
Information Division said the planned drug testing is a welcome move
to douse suspicions that some lawmakers are into illegal drugs use.

Rep. Robert "Ace" Barbers (Lakas, Surigao del Norte) also welcomed the
plan but insisted that it should be kept secret to prevent suspected
drug users among congressional staff to skip the tests.

"It should be done without being announced in the media," Barbers
said.

June Albert Agapito, a director at the House media center, said
congressional employees are not against the planned drug test which he
also said should be done in random.

Agapito said he has heard reports, albeit unconfirmed, that there are
alleged drug users among some members of the House legislative
security division.

Manuel del Pilar and Ernesto Dulay, two members of the legislative
security division, said such reports are still subject to
verification. "But we are ready to take the test anytime," Del Pilar
said.