Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday reimbursed Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Harold Respicio, the ₱28,011 he spent on a drug test.
“Eto na. Happy?” Remulla commented on Respicio's Facebook post with a screenshot showing that the amount had been sent.
Earlier, Respicio posted his GCash QR code on social media after Remulla said he would shoulder the cost of the vice mayor’s drug test.
“Jonvic, eto QR code. Pa-GCash 28,011. Reimbursement for drug test,” Respicio said in a social media post on Thursday.
The Interior secretary also confirmed to reporters that the payment had been made, although he used his assistant’s GCash account because he does not have his own account.
“Yes. I don't have GCash so I used my assistant’s account. But it's paid,” Remulla said in a Viber message to reporters.
The reimbursement stemmed from Remulla’s earlier challenge to Respicio to undergo a drug test following a video showing the vice mayor in a heated confrontation with barangay officials during a Sangguniang Bayan session.
Remulla had suggested that Respicio appeared to be under the influence of illegal drugs based on his behavior during the session.
“Gusto ko ipa-drug test muna... Tingin ko talaga adik, eh. Eh kasi, ngayon lang ako nakakita ng Vice Mayor na kung manigaw, gano’n, di ba? Parang nakasinghot... kung umasta,” Remulla said.
Respicio accepted the challenge and underwent a drug test at St. Luke’s Medical Center–Quezon City, which cost ₱28,011.
He later tested negative for cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and other illegal drugs.
Before posting his GCash QR code, Respicio jokingly declined to give Remulla his personal number after the secretary said he would obtain his contact details through the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“Sorry, Jonvic. I can't give you my personal number. Baka i-text mo 'ko,” Respicio said.
