The Supreme Court Refutes Claims of Mandatory Drug Testing for Judiciary Members

The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) has not ordered obligatory drug testing for judges or judicial personnel, according to the Supreme Court, which has denied reports that it has.

The court's spokeswoman, Atty., responded. The circular, according to Camille Ting, does not mandate a drug test; instead, it requires "all judges and court personnel of the first and second level courts to undergo a basic annual physical examination on or before October 15."

“Under Item F.5 of the Judiciary Health Care Plan on Annual Physical Examination, drug testing of judges, officials, and employees is included on a RANDOM BASIS,” Ting added.

Representative Paolo Duterte of Davao City has introduced a measure to amend Section 36 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 to mandate drug testing for public servants every six months. The majority group supported the bill, but MPs are hoping Duterte will show up for a committee hearing.