Escudero urged to order drug testing at Senate

Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III has urged Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to issue an order to conduct mandatory random drug testing in the Upper Chamber following reports that a senator’s staff is now being investigated over alleged marijuana use inside the Senate’s premises.

- By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA

In his letter to Escudero, Sotto, a former Senate president, pointed out that in 2018, the Senate conducted mandatory random drug testing in accordance with Republic Act No. 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 1700653 dated March 15, 2027 or the Mandatory Random Drug Testing for Public Officials and Employees.

The previous mandatory drug testing, Sotto also said is part of the Senate Policy Order No. 2018-002 (OSP) or the Revised Policy on Random Drug Testing in the Senate.