Malacañang on Tuesday pushed back against new appeals for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take a hair follicle drug test, describing the demands as political attempts to distract from his work. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the matter had been addressed long before the latest accusations surfaced.
Castro insisted that the President has already complied with drug testing requirements and produced negative results. “Matagal na po itong naresolba. Uulit-ulitin ko, paulit-ulit, ang Pangulo po ay malinis,” she said, emphasizing that the controversy has repeatedly been settled.
The renewed pressure followed Sen. Imee Marcos’ public allegation that her brother had a history of illegal drug use. Critics of the President, including Vice President Sara Duterte’s brother and Davao Representative Paolo Duterte, have long argued that a hair follicle examination is more reliable, especially for detecting cocaine use.
Castro dismissed these demands as politically motivated, saying the President will not submit to conditions set by individuals intent on stirring instability. “Ang Pangulo po ay hindi magpapadala sa anumang pag-uudyok: pag-uudyok ng mga destabilizers, pag-uudyok ng mga obstructionists na walang gagawin kundi magbigay ng mga kondisyon, magbigay ng pag-uutos sa Pangulo kahit hindi na po ito naaayon sa kaniyang pagtatrabaho,” she said.
She also criticized what she characterized as noise meant to undermine the President. “Uulitin natin, paulit-ulit, uulit-ulitin natin, hindi po tayo magpapadala kung ano ang sinasabi ng mga maiingay,” she added.
Questions about Marcos Jr.’s drug use have persisted since the 2022 campaign season. In 2021, he released the results of a drug test conducted at St. Luke’s Medical Center after presidential candidates were urged to prove they were not using illegal drugs. His choice of a private facility drew skepticism from rivals, who noted that other candidates went through testing with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
