Sara Duterte

Sara Duterte takes drug test upon Marcos’ request

Bea Cupin

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Sara Duterte takes drug test upon Marcos’ request

COMPETENCE, NOT DRUG TESTS. The Davao City mayor says the focus should be on the qualifications of presidential and vice presidential bets.

Photo courtesy of Hugpong ng Pagbabago

She tests negative, but the Davao City Mayor says focus should be on 'the substantial qualifications of those that seek to lead our country'

Lakas-CMD vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte on Wednesday, November 24, underwent a “voluntary” drug test “upon the request” of her 2022 presidential bet, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. 

She did this following the lead of several other candidates for the presidency and vice presidency, including Marcos himself.

The Davao mayor, the eldest daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, tested negative for any illegal substance in the drug test she took.. 

Marcos earlier tested negative for cocaine as well.

The flurry of 2022 bets getting drug tests is a reaction to the older Duterte’s allegation that a presidential candidate was a cocaine user. The President offered no evidence to back up his claim, save for his insistence a few days later that he was telling the truth. 

Sara, who took over the Davao mayor post after Duterte won the presidency in 2016, said she and Marcos share a “common stance against the proliferation of illegal drugs and the need for effective measures of prevention, rehabilitation, and enforcement.” 

And while she was the latest to undergo drug testing following her father’s rants, the younger Duterte said in her statement that “other compelling issues” must be paid attention to. 

“It is crucial in this electoral season that we focus on the substantial qualifications of those that seek to lead our country,” she said in a statement to media. 

She added: “Particularly, that we examine our presidential and vice presidential candidates under the lens of competence and experience – an infallible ability to manage crisis through policy and practice built up through years of executive, legislative, and administrative exposure; a proven track record of delivering security and development; and a clear and tested platform for job security and sustainable livelihood.”

That she’s highlighting experience – in different branches of government – seems to be among the Davao mayor’s core messages heading into the 2022 campaign.

Days prior, she made a pitch for her presidential bet Marcos, telling supporters in Tagum City that she chose him as her standard-bearer because of his experience. 

Marcos started his political career when his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was still in power. The younger Marcos has since been elected vice governor, governor, Ilocos Norte representative, and senator. He vied for the vice presidency in 2016 but lost to Vice President Leni Robredo. Marcos Jr. tried to contest that win, but this was ultimately rejected by the Supreme Court

Sara has been mayor of Davao for two straight terms since 2016. She first served as mayor from 2010 to 2013, but didn’t seek reelection so her father could return as mayor. – Rappler.com     

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.