Senatoriables get into heated exchanges in debate on charging ex-Pres. Duterte, mandating drug tests for gov't officials

Bato vs Castro

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list Rep. France Castro traded barbs as they argued about whether former president Rodrigo Duterte should be charged for his administration’s bloody war on drugs. 

As per Castro, Duterte should be charged as it is long overdue. In 2024, the former president appeared in congressional hearings on his drug war, which he would take "full legal responsibility" for.

"Libo-libo ang pinapatay ni Duterte pero wala pang napapanagot. Kaya kailangan talaga ng hustisya ng ating mga mamamayan," she said. 

For his part, Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police Chief during the Duterte administration, said that his stance on this matter is "conditional."

"Guilt is personal, huwag po natin ipa-angkin kay Pangulong Duterte 'yung kasalanan ni Ninjacops kaya po after three years nagtapos siya sa pagka-pangulo, walang kaso." 

However, Castro strongly believes that Duterte is guilty and that Dela Rosa should also be charged. 

Dela Rosa countered by bringing up Castro's conviction of allegedly endangering Lumad children in 2018.

"Gigil na gigil kang kasuhan si Pangulong Duterte at ako ng mga kaso na hindi mo kami ma-li-link, kumusta na po 'yung conviction mo sa kasong child trafficking, ano na pong nangyari? Bakit andyan ka pa? Hindi ka pa nakakulong?" he said.

The congresswoman defended that she believes what she did was right: "Tama lang po ang ginawa ko pong pag-rescue sa mga teachers, sa mga bata na biktima ng intimidation at threat doon sa sinasabe ni Sen. Bato na kaso. Kung sino mang mga teachers gagawin 'yun, 'yung ipagtanggol at sagipin ang ating mga teachers at estudyante."

However, Dela Rosa insists that "there were no rescues" happened and that the parents of the children were furious at Castro. She said that these parents the senator brought up were made up. 

Luke Espiritu vs Vic Rodriguez

Labor leader Luke Espiritu and former executive secretary under Marcos's administration Vic Rodriguez had differing views when it came to mandatory drug tests for elected and appointive government officials.

For Rodriguez, this would uphold Article 11, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, which states that "public office is a public trust."

"Dapat lahat ay may accountable sa lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino." 

However, that is not the case for Espiritu, who said the government should focus more on the country's "real" issues, such as poverty and low wages for laborers. He added that focusing on drugs follows the previous Duterte administration's "tokhang mentality."

He raised that the issue of drug tests has surfaced because President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s feud with the Duterte family involves drug accusations. In January 2024, Duterte accused his successor of being part of a drug watch list, while Marcos claimed that the former president was hooked on fentanyl.

"Kaya 'yan lumalabas dahil, aminin na natin, nagbabanggaan sina Marcos at Duterte, at si Duterte na pinaparatangan niya si Marcos na bangag kaya mayroon tayong mga mandatory drug testing na ganyan," he said.

"Sawang-sawa na ang taong bayan sa bangayan ng Marcos at Duterte. Pag-usapan niyo ng tunay na issue sa kahirapan, hindi ang mga droga droga na yan." 

The labor advocate suggested that instead of a mandatory drug test, the official should undergo a "competency test, integrity test, honesty test, and pro-masa test."

In his defense, Rodriguez clarified that the mandatory drug testing is not connected to the Marcos-Duterte dispute.

"Karapatan ng bawat Pilipino lalo na ng mga kabataan malaman kung tayo ba ay pinamumunuan ng isang taong may tamang pag-iisip," he retorted. 

The heated exchange ended with Espiritu raising how Rodriguez changed his stance on hair follicle testing.

"Si Atty. Vic ang proof kung bakit ang droga ay may kinalaman sa bangayang Marcos at Duterte. Nung panahon na siya ay pro-Marcos, drug test ang kanyang pinangangalandakan na negative si Marcos. Ngayong siya ay pro-Duterte, gusto niya ngayon itesting si Marcos ng hair follicle test at gusto niya ngayon ng drug testing." 

Marcos and Rodriguez' falling out

Marcos later responded to Rodriguez's remark in a GMA Integrated News interview. According to him, these tests will not determine his kind of leadership. 

"Why, would I do that? 'Public trust is a public office' has nothing to do with the follicle test. Wala namang connection ang sinasabi niya. He's always had that weakness every time... when he was still working for me. If you believe in what he was saying, why did he work for me?" Marcos said.

During the debate, Rodriguez was also asked about the real reason behind his falling out with the president.

"Hindi ko masikmura ang corruption kaya ako’y umalis ng Malacañang. Ako ay binigyan pa ng isang position, subalit hindi ko gusto ang direksyon na kanilang tinatahak kaya sabi ko ayaw ko na at ako ay babalik nalang sa pribado," he said.

As for his expulsion from Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Rodriguez claimed that he was removed due to resentment. He said that while he was Executive Secretary, some members asked him for government positions like Chairman of the Commission on Elections, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Civil Service Commission.

"'Di sila kwalipikado at alam ko ang nais lamang nila ay magnakaw kaya hinindi-an ko 'yan at kaya nagalit sila sa akin."

Stance on issues

Throughout the debate, the aspiring candidates also gave their opinions on issues like the anti-teenage pregnancy bill, which candidates Castro, labor leaders Leody De Guzman and Atty. Luke Espiritu, Atty. Ernesto Arellano, former Commission on Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairman Danilo Ramos, and former Makabayan Rep. Teddy Casiño voted yes for. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa, Rodriguez, Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, retired Col. Ariel Querubin, and Valenzuela Rep. Eric Martinez gave no votes on the topic.

Espiritu also made his stance on political dynasties known. He said an anti-dynasty law is needed as it is a "matter of national survival."

"70 out of 80 governors are already part of the political plans. Sa dynasties na yan, diyan nagiging source ng corruption, electoral fraud, patayan sa local areas," he said.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez said there should be a basic agreement on what constitutes a political dynasty and that the death penalty should be reinstated so corrupt officials won't pass down their seats to their children.

On the topic of confidential funds, musician-lawyer Bondoc said that he believes all government agencies are involved with national security.

"Naniniwala ako na ang gobyerno ay nasa linya ng kaayusan at kaguluhan. Kaya lahat ng ahensiya, kahit papano ay may kinalaman sa national security," the Let Me Be The One singer said.

Former COA commissioner Mendoza disagreed, saying: "Kung ikaw ay department of education, eh yun namang nagawa ng ibang secretary na walang confi, eh bakit naman ngayon meron?"

The midterm elections are on May 12, 2025. Overseas Filipinos may vote from April 13 to May 12, while local absentees—AFP, the Philippine National Police, and media practitioners—may vote from April 28 to 30.

According to Comelec, there will be a total of 18,272 national and local political positions in the 2025 elections, which is an increase of 200 positions compared to the 2022 polls. (with reports from Ayie Licsi)