Drug test eyed for Cabinet men

Cabinet members and other officials whose appointments are subject to confirmation by the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) may be required to take a drug test.

The requirement may be imposed in the wake of reports that an unnamed young Cabinet member who heads a sensitive department is a regular cocaine user.

Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, a CA member, told The STAR yesterday that he would suggest to his colleagues in the commission that officials subject to confirmation be asked to take a drug test.

"This should be part of the required documents these officials should submit to the CA," he said.

He said aside from medical examination, an official subject to confirmation should submit a drug test result.

"We should not have drug users as Cabinet members. They should be in rehabilitation centers instead of serving in the Cabinet," he added.

Romualdo is one of the three representatives of the opposition Nationalist People’s Coalition in the 12-man House contingent in the CA.

Another contingent member, Rep. Raoul del Mar (Lakas-Promdi, Cebu), said he would support the proposal to subject officials going through the confirmation process to drug examination.

"That should be part of our background check on them," said Del Mar.

He agreed with Romualdo that drug users should have no place in the Cabinet and in the government.

Rep. Vicente Sandoval (Lakas, Palawan), the head of the House contingent in the CA, said the unnamed cocaine user in the Cabinet should now resign.

He told radio station dzRH that he would personally make sure that this official won’t be confirmed.

"We will soon find out who he is," he said.

The unnamed drug user is said to be between 40 and 50 years old and is separated from his wife. He heads a large department.

Sandoval said he and his colleagues will scrutinize the qualifications and background of all Cabinet members and other officials subject to confirmation.

Earlier, the Palawan congressman made known his intention to grill Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez on mining policies.

Another Alvarez is also expected to have a hard time in the CA. He is Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez.

Some commission members are planning to ask him about the controversial Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, telecommunications franchises and his closeness to First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. — Jezz Diaz