PENALTY FOR CANDIDATES' FAILURE TO TAKE DRUG TEST: COMELEC

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Dumaguete City warned that
candidates in the 2004 polls will be penalized if they failed to undergo
the required drug test.

City election officer Manuel Advincula issued the stern warning after he
received a copy of Comelec Resolution No. 6486 last December 26 requiring
all election candidates to undergo the mandatory drug test.

Advincula said the candidate who fails to get the test would face
administrative and criminal charges.

The Comelec resolution directs all poll field offices to submit to the
central office, a list of the candidates who complied with the requirement
and another list for those who have not done so.

Candidates of local and national elective positions must submit, along with
their certificates of candidacy, the result of the drug test.

Advincula explained that the drug test became a requirement after the
enactment into law of Republic Act No. 9165, the New Dangerous Drugs Act of
2002.

Paragraph G, Section 25 of RA 9165 requires candidates for elective and
appointive positions to undergo drug testing.

Meanwhile, the city election officer reiterated his warning on the
observance of the Comelec gun ban that took effect last December 15.

The ban covers all licensed firearms including those in civilian hands with
permit to carry or mission order issued by the PNP or the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP).

Advincula said the ban suspends all permits to carry firearms outside
private homes.

PNP or AFP personnel are allowed to carry their firearms only while on duty
and uniformed.

Citizens are exempted from the ban only if they have secured exemptions
from the Security Personnel and Firearms Division of Comelec.