Davide warns Capitol workers who skipped drug test

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has directed the two Capitol employees who failed to appear during a surprise drug test last Monday to submit themselves before the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission (CPADAC).

“I hope di na moabot sa punto nga ako na mismo ang momando nga mo-appear sila aron testingan. I just hope nga kining mga empleyadoha nga wa mo-appear mo-submit willingly sa CPADAC otherwise mapugos ko nga mo-issue og order nga sila paadtuon gyod,” he told reporters.

“In my earlier pronouncement, we don’t want drug users here in the provincial government. Kining duha if (found) positive, then they will have to leave,” Davide added.

Joey Herrera, executive director of CPADAC, reported that the two casual employees were present during the flag ceremony but disappeared during the drug test. He cannot yet divulge the names of the two, pending an investigation.

“Akong gikuha ang attendance sheet during the flag, and the two were present during the flag. I know that they received the memo and yet they did not come,” he said.

At least 117 Capitol employees were ordered to undergo the drug screening on Monday but only 107 appeared. Herrera said those who were absent will have to explain before the Capitol’s Committee on Discipline and Investigation chaired by Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino.

“Katong duha, I don’t know unsa ilang i-rason. But I will refer ni sa Governor then adto ni Mark Tolentino,” he told reporters, adding that the two are being detailed at the Legislative Building.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, in a separate interview, supported the governor’s call and asked for an investigation on the matter.

“Kung mahimo i-drug test sila dayon. I will ask attorney (Anecita) Pasaylo to investigate kay ato man nang jurisdiction (legislative building),”she said. Pasaylo is the Provincial Secretary.

CPADAC reported that there were already 14 capitol employees who were dismissed from service after having found positive for drug use. Davide described this as “alarming,” as government workers are supposed to be role models to the public.

“(It’s) alarming because we expect man gud atong employees… we assumed they are fit to work, not involved in any drug use. It is a cause for concern. Now we are trying to cleanse the provincial government from illegal drug users,” he said.

Meanwhile, Davide said there is no cause for alarm on the increasing number of inmates from municipal jails who are said to be hooked on drugs. But he said the Cebu Provincial Police Office and the provincial government are working together in curbing the illegal drug trade.

The jails in Consolacion, Compostela, Liloan, Argao, Dalaguete and other towns are reported to have high cases of inmates taking illegal drugs.

“We are serious in our campaign against drugs. Practically all the towns and cities duna g’yuy drug problem. Mag-gabas-gabas ang users, distributors,” he said.

“Among nasabotan ni (Police Regional Regional) Director (Prudencio) Bañas, being a crusader on anti-drug campaign, the police will have this program on how to solve the drug problems in the towns,” the governor said. — (FREEMAN)