After initially declining Mayor Rama finally submits to drug test

CEBU, Philippines - After initially declining to undergo a drug test for Cebu City hall employees, Mayor Michael Rama has undergone a drug screening yesterday afternoon.

This was confirmed to The FREEMAN by a credible source, a member of the Cebu City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac), who asked not to be named.

The source said Rama undergone the drug test at 2:30 p.m. at the Vice Mayor’s conference room after the Cadac’s meeting was adjourned.

Cadac is the implementing arm of the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) headed by Dr. Alice Utlang.

Prior to receiving confirmation from the Cadac, The Freeman called Rama to inquire if he already took the drug test. 

“Why (does) everyone want the mayor to go through a test? I told you and I told everybody that I will make a pronouncement at the right time,” Rama said.

Last Wednesday, the COSAP conducted a surprise drug test among members of the City Council, which authorized the Cebu City Health Department to perform the test in cooperation with COSAP.

In a press conference yesterday, Rama insisted that the council cannot dictate him to undergo a drug test.

“Dili ko lagi magpabuot nga sila ang mosulti nako. Ako ang magbuot. Ngano sila man magbuot tawon, maghuwat sila kay di man ko mahadlok ana. Ayaw sila padektara nako, Dili sila maoy mo dektar sa mayor, sorry. Kay nakasiguro diay mo nga wa ko nagpatesting? Aw wa ta kahibalo,” Rama said.

Last week, the council approved a resolution authored by Councilors Richard Osmeña and Alvin Dizon to subject all employees and elected officials of the City government to undergo a drug screening test.

“Di ko gusto nga magpatesting ko tungod nila. Ako’y magbuot kay ako may gadala sa akong kaugalingon, gadala sa polisiya, kahibalo ko sa ginganlan nga pilosopiya, maghuwat sila. Kay dili man sila ang mayor, ang mayor man kahibalo unsay buhaton, ako man gani na gi-usab ang Cosap kay ganahan ko maaktibo,” Rama stressed.

But Councilor Dizon, in a text to the Freeman, explained that no one among them is dictating the mayor.

“If he does not want to submit to a drug test, that’s his prerogative. He will have to explain his refusal to the Cebuanos,” Dizon said.

Dizon added that they in the council believe on “the usefulness and reasonableness of the process to ensure that we are not engaged in any illegal activity, thus, worthy of public trust.” -/ATO (FREEMAN)