Manila, Philippines – The Senate of the Philippines faced a controversy anew following the issue of the alleged use of illegal drugs of an employee inside the Upper Chamber.
An August 13 incident report cited two separate instances of reports about an odor resembling of marijuana coming from a ladies comfort room on the 5th floor.
Based on the report, only an employee from a Senator’s office was seen in the area.
While the investigation remains ongoing, several senators have already condemned the issue, citing its impact on the Upper Chamber’s integrity.
Following the controversy, Senate Minority leader Vicente Tito Sotto penned a letter to the Office of the Senate President calling for a mandatory drug testing within the Senate.
Authoring RA No. 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Sotto expressed belief that it is only timely that a mandatory random drug testing be conducted as a form of prevention and protection of the Senate’s integrity and morale.
Senators Lito Lapid, Win Gatchalian, and Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva also expressed their support to the drug test suggestion, and are willing to subject their office to the move.
Meanwhile, Senator Migz Zubiri was among the first to volunteer for a drug test, which he took on Monday (August 18, 2025).
Zubiri emphasized that this is part of his contribution in ensuring that the Senate is drug-free.
He also mandated his office to take a drug test, while his results are expected to be out next week.
“Kaya kailangan magdrug test kami lahat, pero follow the leader. Kaya dapat, mauna po ako. And willing din po akong mag-hair follicle test para sa ganun eh walang duda, na alam ko din na sa opisina ni Migz Zubiri eh walang nagdro-droga doon,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri similarly encouraged his fellow senators to support this suggestion and show the public that lawmakers are not lawbreakers.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News