ARMM: Elected barangay officials must pass drug test for recognition
The move is meant to make sure local government officials will always be available to address their constitutuents' needs. File photo
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The local government department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will only issue certificates of recognition to elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials if they test negative for drugs.
Lawyer Kirby Abdullah, regional secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-ARMM, said Tuesday they have four requirements for the certificate, one of them a printout of a drug test result from any government hospital.
The Commission on Elections does not require candidates to take drug tests.
Functions and powers of the DILG were devolved to the ARMM based on the charter of the autonomous region, Republic Act 9054, empowering the agency to carry out its operational mandate in the context of regional autonomy.
Each of the proclaimed barangay and SK officials also need to submit to DILG-ARMM their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, personal data sheets, and copies of certificates of poll canvass authenticated by election officials in their respective provinces.
The autonomous region covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Police Regional Office-ARMM said Tuesday they support the effort of the regional government to determine if winners in Monday's barangay and SK polls are not hooked on illegal drugs.
Abdullah said they will not issue certificates of recognition to proclaimed barangay and SK officials unless they submit the four documents.
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