Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday voiced support for calls to require all government officials including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to undergo drug testing, saying transparency and accountability are basic duties of anyone in public office.
Duterte said public officials are bound by their oath to dedicate themselves fully to the nation, noting that this commitment gives citizens the right to demand clarity on their leaders’ fitness to serve.
“Nakatali ’yan sa oath. When he took his oath as president, he said ‘I consecrate myself to the service of the nation.’ Ibig sabihin, ibinibigay niya ang sarili niya sa bayan,” she told reporters.
“Kapag sinabi ng taong bayan na gusto namin mag-drug test ka, hindi ka puwedeng humindi as president, as vice president,” she added.
She said that submitting to drug testing helps “erase all doubts” about an official’s competency and decision-making ability.
Duterte stressed that transparency is a fundamental leadership principle and that Filipinos have every right to demand proof of their officials’ condition and integrity.
Her statement comes as calls grow for mandatory drug testing across all levels of government, from local executives to top national leaders.
Meanwhile, Malacañang has once again dismissed demands for Marcos to take a drug test to show he is not using illegal drugs.
