B’gay, SK bets who test positive for drug use can still run – poll exec

BATANGAS CITY – Aspirants in the coming Oct. 29 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections can still run despite testing positive in their drug test, the provincial officer of the Commission on Elections said yesterday.

Batangas Comelec officer Atty. Gloria Ramos-Petallo clarified the issue at the Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis (Tsip) in Camp Miguel Malvar here, saying there is no provision in the Comelec rules preventing drug addicts and users from running and eventually winning in the forthcoming barangay and SK elections.

Petallo, citing Comelec Resolution 8297 issued by the commission last Sept. 6, said testing positive for illegal drugs would not bar any candidate from filing his candidacy.

“Our only option is to publish their names in the newspaper or announce it over the radio,” Petallo said, adding it’s up to the people to decide if they’ll still vote for candidates who are hooked on drugs.

“It saddened me but we have to abide by the law,” Petallo told The STAR. She said they don’t have the right to reject or accept any application for candidacy based on the aspirants’ drug results.

“Siguro naman ay mahihiya na rin ang isang kandidato na tumakbo kapag nabulgar na siya ay drug user (I hope a candidate will be ashamed to run if he is reported to be a drug user),” Petallo added.

Petallo was among the guests at the regular forum of the Batangas Newswriters Association and officers of the Philippine National Police. The forum was hosted by the Batangas Police Office under Senior Superintendent David Quimio.

Calabarzon regional police director Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan was also present at the forum and was surprised to hear the Comelec official’s pronouncement.

“To tell you the truth, I was also surprised by that statement,” Radovan said. “Even us at the PNP didn’t know that those who tested positive on drug tests are allowed to run in the elections.”

Radovan noted that this is different from the PNP ruling where a member is immediately suspended and subjected to summary dismissal proceedings once found to be positive for illegal drugs.

“It all boils down to the decision of the public whether to support or not a drug crazed candidate this coming elections,” Radovan said.