COMELEC: Mandatory Drug Test For Candidates
Warning! If you’re using performance enhancing drugs, please do not run for public office!
Apparently, COMELEC is requiring all candidates to undergo a drug test. But what if you test positive?
NO PENALTY…
Yes, that’s right, no penalty.
Why have the test in the first place? If you’re going to conduct a drug test, then obviously there should be some consequences for testing positive? You’re not doing drug trials, you’re not in the business of doing surveys on whether these candidates are doing drugs or not. Just another stupid case in which The COMELEC just doesn’t know what to do with itself. Instead of concentrating on matters pertinent to the actual elections, such as insuring fair and honest elections, they are trying to get into the Front Page of newspapers for absolutely no reason at all.
Look, I don’t mind if they test the candidates, because I think it’s a good idea, but then again, there should definitely be consequences as well. But, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.. There will be some public consequence if the candidates fail to comply with the mandatory drug test.
All candidates will need to file the drug test certificate not later than March 29, 2007, the Comelec resolution said.
On April 11, 2007, Comelec’s law department will come out with two lists of candidates for senators. The first list will have all candidates who complied with the mandatory drug test, while the second will list down those who failed to comply, the Comelec said.
Provincial election supervisors and city or municipal election officers will also have two lists released on April 4, 2007, following the same process as that for senators, the Comelec said.
I have just one problem with this procedure. The candidate will face public scrutiny if they test positive for drugs, but what if there are mistakes in the tests? The ability to request a second test should also be in the table, before any public announcement, as there is often the case of trial by public scrutiny, before confirmation of these tests is done.
Without a proper procedure in requesting a second and independent drug test before the announcements, I’m skeptical of the process as a whole.
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With the COMELEC’s track record, how can these tests be credible? They could very well taint the results especially the opposition’s candidates. Perhaps it would be a good idea to first test the commissioners both for drug and neuro. For sure they will fail the latter.
Schumey, this is exactly the worry that everyone of us has. it’s the most obvious thing to ask whenever there is a move by the COMELEC. Every resolution seems to have a political motive meant to sway the votes… But, we shall keep on top of this issue as well as every other issue that is sure to come.
Yes, you’re right. the latter will certainly result in a failure