Duterte, Nograles undergo drug test

MANILA, Philippines — Aspirants for Davao City’s first district congressional post yesterday accepted each other’s challenge to undergo a drug test to show voters and their constituents that they are qualified and deserving to be elected in the 2025 midterm elections.

Rep. Margarita “Migs” Nograles of the PBA party-list accepted the challenge of incumbent Rep. Paolo Duterte to submit themselves to a hair follicle test.

Nograles is a daughter of the late speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., who used to represent the city’s first congressional district.

“I dare my opponent for the position of representative of Davao City’s first district, who is said to be a member of the ‘young goons’ in Congress, or is it ‘guns,’ to also undergo a hair follicle test,” Duterte said in a statement made earlier.

In response, Nograles accepted the challenge and also dared Duterte to undergo another round of drug testing with her.

“Let’s do it at the same time and together show the people of Davao City that we are not afraid to prove ourselves and show up. Hope to see you there,” Nograles said.

Nograles underwent the test at the Hi-Precision Diagnostics in Davao City while Duterte had his test in Mandaluyong City.

On Tuesday, Duterte posted a previous drug test result done in August.

“I have already taken the test, but if necessary, I am still willing to take another hair follicle test and do it  as many times as needed, to show the public that they have nothing to worry about when it comes to the integrity of their leaders,” he said.

Duterte also challenged other lawmakers to undergo a similar test.

“It is their duty as candidates so that their constituents would know that they are not using (illegal drugs),” he said.

Nograles said she took the test to show transparency, noting it is what people want.

While Nograles denied the supposed animosity between her and Duterte, the Davao congressman said he does not consider the Nograleses as friends.

“I do not have a good relationship with the Nograleses. It was their father who depicted me as an addict in 1994 or 1995,” Duterte said.

Nograles’ older brother, former Civil Service Commission chief Karlo Nograles, is pitted against former president Rodrigo Duterte for the mayoral post of Davao City in the 2025 midterm elections.

The late Nograles and Duterte were political foes before the latter ran for president in 2016.

However, Nograles supported Duterte’s presidential bid, ostensibly for the country to have a president from Mindanao.