Pubdate: Sun, 23 May 2004
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
Note:  also listed for feedback
Author:  Ben O. Tesiorna
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

COMELEC EXEC MUM ON DUTERTE'S DRUG TEST ISSUE

THE chief of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Davao Region Saturday
requested to be "spared" from being involved in the growing "war" between
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Comelec district officials.

Lirio Joquiao said she "does not want to be a part" of the issue, and
suggest that media waits for District 1 Comelec supervisor Marc Dominic
Fernandez for comment.

She said Fernandez is now in Manila.

Duterte last Friday lambasted the city's Comelec officials for "hurrying him
up" in submitting the drug test result, but declared that he will not submit
himself to a drug test.

He said he will not comply with the requirement of the Comelec because of
numerous lapses in their duties, and that he will withdraw the government's
support to the poll body.

Duterte said numerous voters failed to cast votes because their names could
not be located, and that Comelec failed to publish the names of officials
who took the drug test.

Duterte said the drug test requirement for those seeking elective posts does
not exist in the Local Government Code.

Duterte also said that the Comelec resolution requiring political candidates
to submit themselves to drug testing does not include punitive actions for
those found positive to drug tests.
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MAP posted-by: Josh