SENATOR Robin Padilla submitted himself on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, for a drug test before the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Central Office in Quezon City.
Padilla said he made the move to encourage others, especially television personalities and government workers, to also undergo voluntary drug testing.
"Kasi meron po tayong idol din na mambabatas, si Congressman Ace (Barbers). Ang nais po niya mandatory para sa ating mga artista. Ako naman po, dinadagdagan ko lang po 'yung kanyang mungkahi na pwede rin namang voluntary," he said in an interview following the procedure.
"Hindi lang po sa mga artista ano pati sa mga government official. Tayo na mismo i-submit na natin ang mga sarili natin. Magpa-drug test na tayo para wala nang haka-haka," he added.
Padilla said this is also to show support on the government campaign against illegal drugs.
PDEA spokesperson Derick Carreon said Padilla’s test yielded negative result.
Barbers earlier proposed making drug testing mandatory to actors and actresses following the arrest of a television personality in an anti-illegal drugs operation.
In response to Barber’s proposal, Padilla said doing such is tantamount to the violation to human rights. (SunStar Philippines)