Vice mayor councilors test negative for drug use

VICE Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy and other members of the city council have tested negative for drug use — except for two.

Councilor Romeo Calizo on Thursday said he learned about the drug test results from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Calizo is the chairman of the city council’s police, fire and public safety committee. He also chairs the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

Two other councilors — Teodulfo Lao Jr. and Enrico Salcedo — have yet to be tested. They were absent when PDEA subjected Uy and other councilors to drug tests on Monday afternoon.

“Bibo gyud unta kon na-ay nag  test positive pero negative man tanan, gawas ni Kagawad Lao ug Salcedo kay on leave sila adtong panahona. Pero subject gihapon sila sa drug test sa sunod higayon,” Calizo said.

Aside from Uy and Calizo, those who tested negative for drug use were councilors Ian Mark Nacaya, Ruben Daba, Nadya Elipe, George Goking, Leon Gan, Edna Dahino, Lordan Suan, Yan Lam Lim, Zaldy Ocon, Suzette Magtajas Daba, Annie Daba, Dometilo Acenas Jr., and Ma. Lourdes Gaane.

The PDEA drug tests on Monday were only the start. Officials and employees from other city hall offices  would be subjected to surprise drug tests funded by the local government.

Calizo said the mandatory drug tests would not be human rights violations, adding that it is based on the Local Government Code, Civil Service Commission memorandum and a city ordinance aimed at ensuring illegal drug-free workplaces in government.

“Unsa may katungod sa usa ka official o city hall employee nga motrabaho siya sa gobyerno kon  adis-adis siya?” said Calizo. (nitz arancon)