Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and his entire staff will undergo mandatory drug testing on Monday, August 18.
According to the senator’s social media post, this initiative outlines a plan that prioritizes accountability and a “drug free” office. He also urged his peers to adopt the same standard across the chamber, describing it as a test of institutional duty and personal responsibility.
“Sabi ko nga lead by example. Madami nagsasabi na may nagdo droga dito sa Senado kaya [ang] sabi ko, dapat ako at staff ko ang unang magpa-test para sa pinagbabawal na gamot. Para sa ganoon ma-engganyo din ang ating mga kasamahan dahil ang gusto din natin magkaroon ng “drug free” Senate,” Zubiri said in an ambush interview with reporters.
The drug test was conducted in coordination with the Senate Medical Bureau. Zubiri and his staff provided urine samples for five types of prohibited drugs, such as: shabu, marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and opium.
Zubiri pointed out that they did not undergo a hair follicle test. But emphasized that if someone would recommend them a place for follicle testing, they would be willing to give their hair follicle samples.
RH Raymund Dadpaas reported that Zubiri admitted that the Senate was embarrassed over the reported case of one of the staff allegedly using marijuana. Last week, the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) wrote in an incident report that a senator’s staff had allegedly used the said drug inside the Senate ladies' room on the fifth floor.
The OSAA named the person as Nadia Montenegro, Senator Robin Padilla’s public officer for affairs. Montenegro has previously denied the allegation.
The case quickly made rounds and triggered broader demands for testing and ethics review.
Dadpaas reported that Montenegro has until tomorrow, Tuesday, to submit a written explanation about the incident, following the request from Padilla’s office.
With this, Zubiri pushed for random testing and brought up Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s proposal to conduct mandatory drug tests for all senators and Senate employees.
“I encourage all the other offices, all the other senators, to do the same … Lawmakers should not be lawbreakers,” Zubiri said in a social media post.
The senator and his staff are scheduled to undergo mandatory drug tests at 11:00 AM on Monday.
