Rodriguez on Marcos' drug test: ‘Gusto kong malaman kung nabudol ako’

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Executive Secretary and now senatorial candidate Vic Rodriguez believes that an "open and transparent" hair follicle drug test would put an end to allegations against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In an interview on NewsWatch Plus' The Newsmaker, Rodriguez said calls for Marcos to undergo drug testing had stemmed from a question raised during a televised debate.

He also supported mandatory drug testing for all government officials – from top officials to civil servants.

"So marapat lang naman na gawin natin yan sapagkat iba yung standard ng naglilingkod sa gobyerno whether elected or appointed sapagkat sila ay humihipo ng ating pera," he said.

[Translation: So it’s only warranted that we do this because the standard applied to those serving in government differs, whether elected or appointed, since they are handling public funds]

Rodriguez also questioned why stricter testing is required for private security guards but not for public officials.

"And I took that opportunity also to emphasize and to highlight, why is it that when you're applying as a security guard, you have to undergo not only drug tests, but even psychiatric or psychological tests?" he added.

Rodriguez recalled that he was the one who presented Marcos’ drug test results in 2021, but the issue never died down.

"So para matigil yan, sinisingil ako, both his supporters sinasabi ako raw ay maaaring nagpresenta ng fake na resulta. Yung mga kritiko niya nagsasabi baka naman na parte ako ng pambubudol," he said.

[Translation: So to put an end to this, I’m being questioned—both his supporters who say I may have presented fake results, and his critics who claim I might have been part of a scam]

Rodriguez said Marcos could clear his name if he tests negative in a hair follicle drug test.

"Gusto ko rin malaman. Ako ba'y nabudol din o tamang hindi siya talaga dapat akusahan? Kaya nga sabi ko, pag nag-negative yan, ang sarap niyo na vindication sa kanya, punta niya lahat na nag-akusa sa kanya at tumatawag sa kanya ng kung anu-anong pangalan. Sampal niya yung resulta niya," he said.

[I also want to know—was I fooled, or is he really innocent? That’s why I said if he tests negative, that’s his ultimate vindication. He should take the results and throw them in the face of everyone who accused him]

However, Marcos has already rejected the call to undergo a hair follicle drug test.

"No, no. Why should I do that?" he said when asked about Rodriguez’s challenge ahead of the GMA senatorial debates last week.

Marcos also dismissed Rodriguez’s credibility.

"He’s always had that weakness every time he --- when he was still working for me. If you believe in what he was saying, why did he work for me?" he said.

Similar calls for mandatory drug testing have been made by former President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies.

Rodriguez resigned as executive secretary and presidential spokesperson in September 2022.