2 lawmakers push for drug tests in Congress after Singson case

Two congressmen on Thursday said they are in favor of drug tests within their ranks after one of their colleagues — Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson — pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in Hong Kong. Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said House members can show that they are setting a good example to the public through these drug tests. "Dapat nating ipakita sa tao na kaming mga kongresista, hindi kami mga durugista," Angara said at a press briefing in Quezon City. He, however, added that the drug tests should be voluntary, since the human rights of his fellow lawmakers still need to be taken into account. "Human rights ‘yun. No one can compel. Kung ayaw ng kongresista, hindi pwedeng i-compel," he said. But Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo said the drug tests should be mandatory and random, so that the results will be "credible." "Kung ako ang tatanungin, gusto ko gawing mandatory. It is about time that we carry out a drug testing policy... because we, after all, are expected to conduct ourselves in the highest bar of moral character," Quimbo said in the same press briefing. He added that the rules of the current Congress allow the House Speaker to "come up with a drug testing scheme for members of Congress, as well as all employees." "It is enshrined there [the House Rules]. Whether it is mandatory or voluntary, it is up to the leadership, particularly the Speaker of the House," he said. Under Rule IV, Section 15 of the current Congress, the House Speaker "in consultation with the Minority Leader, shall develop through the appropriate entity of the House a system for drug testing in the House of Representatives." The current House rules also state that the drug testing may cover "any member, officer or employee of the House," and "may be paid from applicable accounts of the House for official expenses." This new provision in the House rules stemmed from a proposal by Deputy Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas last year to authorize the Speaker to conduct the random drug testing. Drug trafficking The two lawmakers issued their statements days after Singson pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges before the Hong Kong District Court. Ronald, the son of Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson admitted before the Hong Kong court that he went on a cocaine-and-gambling binge after attending an Usher concert in Manila he helped stage on July 9, frustrated by an argument with his girlfriend. He likewise said that he decided to join a friend attending a poker tournament in Macau while carrying the illegal drugs, causing him to be arrested while transiting through Hong Kong. A wire report earlier said Singson was not immediately sentenced in Hong Kong's District Court pending testimony on whether he planned on consuming the cocaine or sharing it with others — a factor that could influence the length of his sentence. Singson was caught carrying 0.24 ounces (6.67 grams) of cocaine at the southern Chinese city's international airport in July. Drug trafficking carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million ($640,000), the same report said. On Tuesday, the House committee on ethics and privileges unanimously approved a resolution paving the way for an investigation on Singson even without a formal ethics complaint filed against him. A two-thirds vote of the lower chamber’s 283 members is required to either suspend or expel Singson from his post. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMANews.TV