Drug test urged for barangay, SK poll candidates

BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan has called on the Commission on Election (COMELEC) for the possible inclusion of a mandatory drug testing for prospective candidates in the coming May 14, 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Domogan, who also chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council in his weekly “Ugnayang Panlunsod” reiterated the need for drug testing to ensure the non-involvement and engagement of candidates in the illegal drug trade.

“I hope that again, let us support the idea even if there are no laws requiring a prospective candidate to undergo a drug test, but for them to voluntarily undergo with such testing to ensure their non-involvement with drugs,” the mayor said.

Based on the first copy of the list of supposed narco-politicians coming from Malacañan Palace, there were 79 personalities listed in the Cordillera region with four coming from Baguio.

“Here in the city, all of them have been accounted for, there are two barangay kagawads who are suspected to be involved in the drug trade.

“They have submitted themselves and have undergone drug test” Domogan explained.

“We are hoping Comelec can firm up with the stand requiring the submission of drug test certification for prospective candidates indicating a negative result,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Leopoldo Imbang, Commander of the 503rd Brigade, 5ID in a citizen’s forum with the Provincial Board members of Benguet addressed the situation in the province and Cordilleras for the coming barangay elections.

“To have a successful barangay and SK elections, we have to be in partnership with the police, the Comelec, and the local government units along with the different communities,” said Imbang.

Filing of candidacies for SK and Barangay elections started on April 14 until April 20 at the different Comelec offices in the cities and municipalities in the region.

The Police Regional Office – Cordillera and the Armed Forces of the Philippines were directed to simultaneously establish and operate Comelec checkpoints starting 12 midnight of April 14 in all cities and municipalities nationwide, under the supervision of their respective assistant and regional election directors and provincial elections supervisors.

“We are coordinating and supporting PNP, if there are illegal activity, groups that will be violating the law and they need army support we will be doing that,” said Imbang.

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