PNS — ADMINISTRATION presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. yesterday called for the strict enforcement of the dangerous drug laws in the country and Congress to enact more tough laws against narco-politics.
Gibo, standard-bearer of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, made his reaction after the United States expressed concern that some candidates in the coming national elections are receiving funding from drug syndicates.
“That (situation) is very dangerous as drug syndicates can easily help a candidate of their choice win decisively through their money. We must beef up the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law enforcement agencies to prevent this from happening,” Teodoro told reporters during an ambush interview Tuesday morning after meeting students at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay where he was accompanied by Pasay Rep. Jose Antonio Roxas.
Teodoro also met students of the Arellano University and held a dialogue with barangay officials at Roxas’ residence at No. 8, Hernandez Ave., Pasay City.
He also met passport applicants at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), toured the Pasay Public Market before barnstorming Parañaque City in the afternoon where Mayor Florencio Bernabe welcomed his delegation.
In a related development, former Justice Sec. Silvestre Bello III urged all local and national candidates to voluntarily submit themselves to drug testing as he called on authorities to redouble their efforts to crack down on illegal drug syndicates operating in the country.
Bello, a two-time justice secretary, said the burgeoning drug problem in the country, coupled with reports that drug money is being infused in the campaign kitties of candidates, warrants a more serious approach in dealing with the issue.
And one good way to address the problem, according to Bello, is for all local and national candidates to subject themselves to drug testing.
“This should be a basic requirement for all who aspire to public office, and the Commission on Elections should have a mechanism to ensure that all are complying,” said Bello.
For his part, Langit said: “It is a betrayal of public trust if they are into illegal drugs, either using them or benefiting from them as protectors of drug syndicates.
“I believe that the act of volunteering for drug test among our next leaders is a good indication that we, the candidates, are morally qualified to be elected into office,” he added.
Bello said he is willing to be the first volunteer to submit for drug testing “to prove to the public that I am fervent in my advocacy for justice, among others.”
“Voters should know their local candidates better, with regard to their personal affairs and family background. So I urge them to also evaluate the national candidates carefully and scrutinize all our backgrounds, especially those they are keen to vote for. My propensity for transparency is all marked out on cyberspace. The public may just need to visit my website at www.justicemanbello.com,” he said.
Bello said that those who would yield positive results to the drug test should be prosecuted and barred from running.