Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jan 2004
Source: Sunstar Manila (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004, Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2304
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

COMELEC REMINDS POLL BETS TO TAKE DRUG TEST

CANDIDATES who failed to take a drug test when they filed their bid
for an elective post will not be allowed to assume office if they will
in the elections in May

In a three-page resolution signed by Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos
Sr. and Commissioners Luz Tancangco, Resurreccion Borra, Rufino
Javier, Mehol Sadain, Ralph Lantion and Florentino Tuazon, the
commission en banc said candidates running for president down to
party-list representative have until February 8 to submit the results
of their drug test while candidates for local positions have until
March 24 to submit their drug test findings.

Under Comelec Resolution 6486, all candidates are required to submit
to a drug test in laboratories accredited by the Department of Health
(DOH).

The Comelec issued the resolution based on the provisions of Republic
Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, which
requires mandatory drug testing in order to let the public "know the
quality of candidates they are electing and they will be assured that
only those who can serve with utmost responsibility, integrity,
loyalty, and efficiency would be elected to hold public office."

Candidates for president, vice president, senator and party-list
representative who underwent a drug test are ordered to attach the
results of their examination and submit it to the Comelec law
department while congressional candidates should submit the results of
their drug test to the regional election director.

The Comelec said "no person elected to any public office shall enter
upon the duties of his office until he has undergone a mandatory drug
test and filed the drug test certificate" with the concerned offices.

On March 25, local Comelec offices will submit to the law department
two lists of candidates.

The Comelec law department will issue two lists, one containing the
names of candidates who complied with the drug test requirement while
the other will contain the names of bets who failed to do so, both of
which would then be published in two newspapers of general
circulation. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake