Mayor-elect hits gov over call for drug tests

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A mayor-elect in Negros Occidental has criticized the governor for calling on officials and employees of the provincial government to undergo drug tests.

Magdaleno Peña of Moises Padilla town lambasted reelected Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., saying incoming president Rodrigo Duterte can solve the country’s drug problem.

“President Digong Duterte does not need you in his campaign against drugs since he can very well solve the drug problem,” Peña said, referring to Marañon.

Peña, an ally of Duterte, said the governor has been neglecting the drug problem for the past six years of his leadership.

Marañon, who belongs to the Liberal Party, is on his third and last term as governor. 

Peña said he would help Duterte and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency solve the drug problem in Negros Occidental.        

Last week, acting provincial police director Senior Superintendent William Señoron said they received information that several employees of the provincial government are drug users.

Señoron clarified they have no information about any official of the provincial government who is addicted to illegal drugs.

This prompted Marañon to challenge the employees and officials to undergo drug tests.