MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has once again dismissed calls for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to undergo a drug test. The renewed challenge came from Vice President Sara Duterte, who urged the President on Sunday to prove he is not using illegal substances.
Palace press officer Claire Castro pushed back, reminding the public that former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte’s father, also did not comply with similar requests during his term. “Did she also ask her father to undergo a drug test? Has she forgotten the previous spokesperson’s statement that a sitting President cannot be ordered to take a drug test?” Castro said.
The remarks follow Vice President Duterte’s claim that government officials cannot refuse requests for drug tests, neuropsychiatric evaluations, or other competency assessments. She also alleged that members of the First Family used drugs, stating, “Everyone they attend parties with said they were using illegal drugs.”
Castro stressed that President Marcos would continue his work and is ignoring the accusations, including those from his sister, Senator Imee Marcos. “President Marcos continues to work and pursue the corrupt — unlike others who showed signs of outbursts, cursing, making death threats, and uncontrollable anger issues,” she said.
The President previously underwent a drug test in 2021 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig, after former President Duterte alleged cocaine use among presidential candidates. The results came back negative for cocaine.
