MANILA, Philippines – Dapat tanggalin ng Senado ang sinumang empleyado na napatunayang gumagamit ng iligal na droga sa loob ng gusali nito, sinabi ni Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian noong Biyernes.
“This is embarrassing for the Senate. We should be setting a good example for the people,” sabi ni Gatchalian.
“The investigation should also be concluded so we can find out what really happened and who used illegal drugs. Once the person responsible is identified, they should be removed from the Senate,” dagdag niya.
Ngunit ayon sa Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, sa pamumuno ng retiradong pulis na si Maj. Gen. Mao Aplasca, natapos na nila ang kanilang imbestigasyon sa umano’y insidente ng paggamit ng marijuana at naisumite na ang ulat sa Office of the Senate President.
Sa ulat ng insidente noong Agosto 13, binanggit ng mga tauhan ng seguridad ng Senado na si Victor Patelo ang dalawang pagkakataon ng hindi pangkaraniwang amoy/amoy na umano’y nagmumula sa comfort room ng mga kababaihan malapit sa mga opisina ng extension ng mga senador.
Ang unang insidente ay naiulat sa kanya noong nakaraang buwan habang ang pangalawa ay iniulat noong Martes lamang ng isang lalaking empleyado na nagpakilalang staff member ni Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
“He claimed the odor resembled that of ‘marijuana’ and stated that the only person in the area at the time was allegedly Ms. Nadia Montenegro,” sabi ni Patelo sa ulat ng insidente.
“The male staff member asked me to discreetly approach Ms. Montenegro, which I did when she walked past my post, as I was unable to leave my station being the only one on duty at the time.”
“Ms. Montenegro denied smoking inside the ladies’ comfort room or using marijuana for that matter, but acknowledged possessing a vape in her bag, which she said could have produced the unusual scent reported earlier by Senator Lacson’s staff,” dagdag pa niya.
Nagsagawa na rin ng sariling imbestigasyon ang tanggapan ni Sen Robin Padilla dahil isa sa kanyang mga tauhan ang dating aktres na si Nadia Montenegro, ang kanyang chief of staff na si Atty. Sabi ni Rudolf Philip Jurado.
Nanawagan na si Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III sa pamunuan ng Senado na magpatupad ng random drug test tulad ng ginawa niya noong siya ang namumuno sa itaas na kamara.
Ikinatuwa naman nina Gatchalian at Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva ang mungkahi.
“I have consistently supported calls for random drug testing among all officials and staff of the Senate, regardless of who is serving as Senate President. I am confident that under the leadership of Senate President Chiz Escudero, this practice will continue, and I believe this is an opportune time to reaffirm our commitment to it as a means of upholding the integrity of the institution,” saad ni Villanueva.
“On a personal note, I am open to undergo a drug test of any type. It is very important not only for us senators but for all civil servants to lead by example,” giit niya. RNT/MND
