DDB TO TEST CONGRESSMEN

THE Dangerous Drugs Board will concentrate their random drug testing on
politicians who failed to submit their drug test certificates in the last
election.

Sources said that if the planned drug testing in the House of
Representatives pushes through, the first to be tested would be congressmen
who failed to fulfill the drug test requirement of the Commission on Elections.

"All government officials, whether appointed or elected should undergo a
mandatory drug test under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous
Drug Act of 2002," said the source who spoke in condition of anonymity.

He said that without a drug test certificate, an elected official, whether
national or local, should not be allowed to occupy his position.

"This is the reason why we will be concentrating the tests on those who
failed to submit the Comelec requirement. We only would like to make sure
that the country won't be run by drug users or addicts," he added.

It was earlier reported that the DDB is now making arrangements with the
House of Representatives to have congressional employees undergo a drug test.

"The test would include congressmen," said Dr. Rommel Garcia, DDB officer
in charge.

He already conferred with the congressional committee on accounts to
facilitate the drug testing of some 3,500 employees of the House.