Lawmaker wants celebrities to undergo drug test before taking jobs

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2) — The chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs wants celebrities to undergo drug test before they take jobs.

In a statement Sunday, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ace Barbers said celebrities "should all be drug-free” because they are “being idolized by the public” and they will set bad examples if they will be involved in illegal drug trade.

"Alam ko na halos lahat ng ating mga artista ay drug-free...Pero meron din na naliligaw ng landas, na gumagamit o minsan nagtutulak pa ng illegal na droga," he said.

[Translation: I know most of our artists are drug-free...But some have strayed, using and sometimes even selling illegal drugs.]

"Kaya hinihiling at hinihikayat ko ang hanay ng ating movie industry na tumulong sa kampanya laban sa droga sa pamamagitan ng pag-police ng kanilang ranks at i-subject ang kanilang mga talents sa drug test bago bigyan ng pelikula," he added.

[Translation: That is why I urge those who are in the movie industry to help in the campaign against drugs by watching over their ranks and have their talents undergo drug test before they are given projects.]

His statement comes after actor Dominic Roco and four others were arrested in a drug buy-bust operation last Saturday.

Authorities seized shabu worth over ₱100,000 and dried marijuana worth ₱14,000 from the suspects during the operation.