CANDIDATES WITHOUT DRUG TEST MAY FORFEIT POST

EVEN with their proclamation as winners during the May 10 elections,
candidates who failed to undergo and submit the results of their drug test
will not be allowed to assume post.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. said this as three of the senatorial
bets of the magic 12 and some local candidates failed to submit the results
of their drug test.

"Assumption is different from proclamation. Kung matigas ang ulo mo you
cannot assume," Abalos said, adding "the law explicitly states that an
elected official could never be allowed to take his post until he has been
cleared of the drug test."

Taking the case of Davao City where elected Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
reportedly refused to submit himself to a drug test, Abalos said the
vice-mayor would take his place until Duterte complies with the requirement.

"This is not our law, sila ang nag-enact nito and were only implementing
it. If we dont implement it that is a total disregard of the law and we
could be impeach for that," the Comelec chief explained.

Furthermore, Abalos noted that should the candidate were found positive
during the drug test, the elective official could still assume post
provided he undergo treatment before assuming office.

For the senatorial candidates, Aquilino Pimentel who is currently holding
the 3rd place; Jinggoy Estrada on the 12th place and Alfredo Lim, who lands
the 11th position did not submit themselves to drug testing.

Other candidates who failed to submit the result of their drug test are
Alyansa ng Pag-asa candidate Perfecto Yasay, Nicanor Gatmaytan, Jay Sonza,
Mel Chavez, Norma Nueva, Oliver Lozano as well as KNP bet Salvador
Escudero, and K4 candidate John Osmena.

Earlier, the Commission on Elections warned candidates to submit themselves
to drug testing as this may be a deterrent in their assumption of office if
they were elected. Marie Neri