The city’s mandatory drug test has revealed that several barangay captains in Manila are drug users, Mayor Joseph Estrada said.
“Apparently, there were some who are into drugs. I don’t know the exact number yet,” Estrada said.
As early as July last year, the mayor directed the chairmen to submit the list of drug users in their respective villages. However, some refused to comply, prompting Estrada to suspect that the barangay chiefs themselves may be drug users or are involved in the trade of illegal drugs.
On November 7, he ordered mandatory drug testing of 7,168 elected village officials, including councilmen.
The Manila Health Department (MHD) will conduct confirmatory drug testing on all those who tested “positive” for drug use.
“They should prepare for the consequences. They know I’m not bluffing. Drug addicts simply have no place in the government,” Estrada said.
Those who will eventually be found positive for drug use after undergoing confirmatory tests will be slapped with the most severe punishment in accordance with the regulations set by the Civil Service Commission, Executive Order 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987, and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Estrada vowed to file appropriate criminal and administrative charges against erring barangay officials.
