All Senate officials and employees will undergo mandatory random drug testing (MRDT) as part of efforts to uphold a drug-free workplace, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced on Monday, August 18.
Escudero made the announcement in response to Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s call for immediate testing, following reports that a Senate staff member was allegedly using marijuana within the premises.
According to Escudero, the Senate had entered into a partnership with the East Avenue Medical Center in March 2025 to facilitate the testing of all Senate officials and employees.
“We are currently finalizing the new policy order on MRDT in consultation with the Medical and Dental Bureau, the Senate Legal Counsel, the Human Resources Management Service and the Senate Committee on Mental Wellness,” Escudero said in his letter.
“These offices are carefully considering the observations and concerns raised during the implementation of the 2018 MRDT policy, particularly regarding the manner of selection and the conduct of confirmatory tests,” he said.
The Senate chief also said the institution also tightened the intervention measures, drawing from actual experience and knowledge gained from past implementations, to ensure a more effective and transparent process moving forward.
Escudero also said the revised policy will incorporate the requirements of R.A. 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Act of 2018 and R.A. 11036 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, which were not taken into account in the 2018 MRDT policy.
He said this is in order to ensure that all procedures adhere to the highest standard of confidentiality and care, and that the revised guidelines will withstand potential legal challenges.
“At present, we are waiting for the complete roster of Senate employees whose new appointments are still under process so that we can cover everyone,” he said.
Earlier, Nadia Montenegro, who worked as a political officer in the office of Sen. Robin Padilla, was named in the incident report by the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), but she has denied the allegation, saying she was not using marijuana, but admitted to using vape.
Montenegro then submitted her resignation “effective immediately,” saying it is for the sake of her mental health and the welfare of her children.
Some senators have also subjected themselves and their staff to a voluntary drug testing.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri along with his 35 staff underwent voluntary drug testing on Monday, while Sen. Raffy Tulfo said he and his staff will do so on Tuesday, August 19. (Hannah Torregoza)
