Palace: No need for Duterte to take drug test

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte skims through some documents while presiding over the 32nd Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on December 12, 2018. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte does not have to undergo a drug test as challenged by opposition Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, Malacañang insisted on Thursday, December 6.

“Hindi kailangan eh talaga namang (There is no need for that because in fact) — look at this person, this President, malakas (he is strong). Sinasabi naman niya sa atin kung anong deperensiya niya eh (He informs us if he is sick),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters in a Palace briefing.

Trillanes, a fierce critic of Duterte, dared anew the President to take a drug test after the latter, last Monday, admitted he uses marijuana to keep him awake amid his jam-packed schedule but later retracted and said it was only a joke.

[READ: Duterte admits marijuana use, says he was joking]

“Duterte is desperately trying to contain the damage of his admission about marijuana use by saying it is a joke,” the senator said earlier.

“Too late! Bistado na siya na isa rin pala siyang durugista (It was already revealed that he himself is a drug addict). Now, if he really wants to clear himself, I am again calling on him to take a drug test,” he added.

Asked for a comment regarding Trillanes’s challenge, Panelo said the lawmaker should be the one to undergo the test and not the President.

“Hindi niya [Duterte] papatulan ‘yon. Nagtataka nga ako bakit pinapatulan niyo siya (Trillanes) eh (He does not have to do that. I’m even wondering why you are giving Trillanes attention),” he said, referring to the media.

Cracking his marijuana joke, Duterte again earned the ire of his critics, with the Human Rights Watch (HRW) saying that the joke was “not funny” as it “undermines” the rationale for his administration’s drug war.

The Palace, however, came to the defence of the Philippine leader, noting that anyone is entitled to make jokes.

“He has set a good example by being a good leader. One joke will not make him a bad leader,” Panelo earlier said.

The spokesman stressed that Duterte only wants to get the attention of his audience by making them laugh, especially if the event is “boring.

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The Palace had said the President is in favor of legalizing the use of marijuana but only if it will be used for medical purposes.