Palace open to drug tests for govt officials over Singson case

In the wake of illegal drug charges Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson is facing in Hong Kong, Malacañang is open to suggestions for government officials to undergo regular drug tests. Presidential Communications Development Strategic and Planning Secretary Ramon “Ricky" Carandang said the Palace has no objections to such tests if there is a clamor for it. “If there’s enough of a clamor and if there’s a law in place we should follow the rules ... If that’s what the public wants I personally have no objection to that," he said on government-run dzRB radio. He also said he does not anticipate any complaints from the present administration’s officials on drug testing. “May regulation ba, is there a rule or law in place? Let’s follow that and let’s see. I don’t anticipate may magrereklamo sa amin sa drug testing (Is there a regulation in place? Let’s follow that and let’s see. I don’t anticipate us complaining about it)," he said. But Carandang declined to discuss whether Singson should be expelled from the House of Representatives for the drug trafficking charges. He said Malacañang will have Congress “deal with it as [the chamber] sees fit." “President Aquino is aware of the issue but I have not heard him comment on it. His opinion will be more important than mine but up to now I have yet to hear him talk on it," he added. Carandang also said that while Aquino does not want people involved in illegal acts in his administration, Singson should undergo the legal process. “Issue to ng Congress at issue ng korte. Sa ngayon di kami makikisawsaw sa issue na yan (This is an issue involving Congress and the Hong Kong court. We will not dip our hands in it)," he said. Rep. Singson, had apologized to his family and fellow lawmakers after he was freed on a bail of HK$2 million (P14 million). Singson also said he is ready to face whatever the Lower House decides on his status, even if that would mean being kicked out of Congress. The Hong Kong court allowed him to post bail, reportedly because of local authorities’ findings that the actual weight of pure cocaine found in his possession was just 6.7 grams, contrary to earlier news reports that it was 26.1 grams. Among the conditions of the bail are that Singson would stay with Wong and report daily to the North Park Police Station. He is also not allowed to travel back to the Philippines or to any other country until his case is resolved. — LBG, GMANews.TV