Paolo Duterte's drug test yields negative results

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte recently underwent a comprehensive drug test and have obtained negative results.

Based on the seven drug tests conducted by Omega Laboratories, the results of which were released Tuesday, Duterte tested negative for seven classes of drugs including methamphetamine or shabu, cocaine and heroin.

Duterte also tested negative for opiates, extended opiates, phencyclidine, THC metabolite and benzodiazepines. The substances can be detected in hair samples, which indicate a person’s history of drug use.

Results of the comprehensive drug test on presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.

He initially submitted hair samples for testing at the Hi-Precision Diagnostic Center on October 30 and was later on referred to the laboratory.

"I have submitted myself to yet another drug test, this time more comprehensive than the first test administered by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency," Duterte, the eldest son of President Rodrigo Duterte, said.

The vice mayor said he had himself tested as a "response to the challenge made by Senator Antonio Trillanes who said I was a drug user."

Trillanes previously dared Duterte to take drug tests and prove he is not guilty following allegations by self-confessed hired killer Edgar Matobato who said the younger Duterte is a known drug user in Davao City.

"I have accepted his challenge not to dignify him, but to clear my name and the name of my family. His imputations that I was a drug addict were based entirely on a fabricated story by a man whose imagination is as twisted as the senator's," Duterte said.

He said the results of the comprehensive drug test is enough vindication.

Duterte claimed he was slandered to destroy the name of his father and his family. The president repeatedly expressed anger over drugs and drug usage, and vowed that he would kill his own children if they are proven to be using illegal substances.

"The results were also enough confirmation that the claims made by Trillanes and his witness, Edgar Matobato, were all nothing but lies," Duterte said. — Rosette Adel