Oaminal vows to continue fight vs. LTO's mandatory drug test

CEBU, Philippines - Former DDB vice chairman Clarence Paul Oaminal stressed that even if he is no longer in public office, he would continue opposing the mandatory drug testing imposed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for all drivers.

Oaminal said that based on the Section 36 of Republic Act 9165, he is working on its scrapping.

He emphasized that politicians running for a position this elections should be the ones to be required of such test. However, he added that of all the candidates seeking an elected position, only sixth district congressional candidate Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing had submitted himself to a drug test in the whole Philippines.

“We have to admit the fact that there is a question on credibility of LTO on drug testing because the one who accredits the system is the DOH (Department of Health),” he said.

Also, Art Laceda, president of the Philippine Association of LTO Accredited Drug Testing Centers Inc. echoed Oaminal’s statement.

According to Laceda, drug testing is not difficult, but it is only the DOH which makes the process complicated.

With the different results of testing, he explained that it depends on the kinds of importations and equipment use, and the quality.

“As one of the pioneers of drug testing in the Philippines, I want to upgrade the quality because not all are using specific… one could give false positive and false negative, so then, you could have a better result of at least 99 percent,” Laceda said.

However, he added that the 3-year requirement for the test is long. “It should be only be six months,” he added.

Oaminal said that with the suggestion of former DDB chairman Vicente Sotto III, they are embarking on the idea of the creation of a bureau in the DOH which will be called the Bureau of Drug Testing Equipment if he gets installed in the position again. He assured that this office will give credit to the testing.

The lawyer continues on encouraging the group of drug testing centers to be honest and to give the accurate results.

Meanwhile, Oaminal said that although he is happy of the resolution for the filing of the information against the employees of Maersk Filipinas Shipping Lines, he is urging the government to tie loose ends.

Oaminal also expressed his optimism that the government could persuade one of the four respondents to turn state witness as the case against them is non-bailable and tell the whole story.

Under Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, possession of more than 10 grams of cocaine is punishable by life imprisonment.

The resolution penned by Prosecutor Stella Esparagoza and approved by Davao City Chief Prosecutor Raul Bendigo sends a strong message to shipping lines and port employees in the country not to collude with drug smugglers.

Oaminal even believes that what happened in the Davao Port did not happen or is not happening in other parts of the country, and the government has not just given preferential attention on the matter. — THE FREEMAN