Pubdate: Thu, 03 Mar 2005
Source: People's Tonight (Philippines)
Copyright: Journal Group 2005
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3454
Author: Raul S. Beltran
Cited: Philippine Dangerous Drugs Board http://www.ddb-ph.com
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

CONGRESS PANICS AT DRUG TEST

HOUSE guards belonging to the Legislative Security Bureau (LSB) went
into panic yesterday after a surprise drug test was conducted by
health personnel from the Dangerous Drugs Board in what the chairman
of the House committee on accounts said is a continuing campaign to
"rid the institution of drug addicts and users."

About 300 congressional regular and contractual employees took the
test, including many of those who failed or intentionally avoided a
similar test conducted by the same health personnel late last year. At
that time, at least six congressional employees, including three from
the LSB, were found positive of using illegal drugs.

Three of the six employees have been dismissed, said Rep. Robert "Ace"
Barbers (Lakas, Surigao del Norte), chairman of the House committee on
accounts. One was Barber's constituent and a son of one of his
political allies.

"Let this be a warning to all drug users in this institution. We will
not hesitate to fire and file charges against them once we confirm
that they are into illegal drugs," Barbers stressed.

House Deputy Secretary General for Legal Affairs Leonardo Laciste said
one of those dismissed, a member of the LSB, was a "recidivist" having
been found positive for illegal drugs use a number of times in the
past.

Laciste said it was Barbers himself who ordered the dismissal of a
certain Christopher, also a member of the LSB, to set an example that
the congressman does not tolerate the wrongdoing of a House employee,
even if he is a constituent.

He said another employee of the printing department has also been
fired for similar offense, adding the three dismissed employees will
be "forever barred" from joining government service, a punishment that
Barbers said is suited for a "despicable offense."

Laciste, also chairman of the House disciplinary board, said the three
other employees, although first-time offenders, have been suspended
for six months without pay and placed under the close scrutiny of
their immediate supervisors.

One of them, an employee of the printing department, has also been
directed to undertake periodic drug tests while under suspension,
Laciste said.

"If he will be found still using illegal drugs, he will also be
fired," he added.

Angelo Villlanueva, Barber's chief of staff, said House officials will
hold supervisors responsible for employees who refuse or evade the
drug tests.

Villanueva explained that a provision in the  contract between the
House and Fortune Care, the chamber's health provider, allows random
drug tests among congressional employees "to ensure their physical and
mental fitness." 
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