MANILA, Philippines — Taking up Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s challenge, Isabela Vice Mayor Jeryll Harold Respicio on Wednesday submitted himself to an extensive and expensive drug test where the results yielded negative. He then said that the secretary should refund him for the expensive drug test.
"Dapat i-refund niya ako. Chinallenge niya ko, napasubo tuloy ako, P28,000 pala,” Respicio told reporters in jest in a phone interview.
(He should give me a refund. He dared me and I ended up paying P28,000.)
He jokingly added that any refund from the Interior chief would be entirely voluntary whether the test comes back positive or negative.
According to the test results, Respicio was negative for Benzodiazepines, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, opiates, propoxyphene, tetrahydrocannabinol and tricyclic antidepressants.
Remulla’s challenge came as a reaction to Respicio’s outburst during a livestreamed Sangguniang Bayan session where he figured in an argument with barangay captains, accusing them as “thieves” after he questioned the status of projects funded by the local government’s share in tobacco excise taxes.
He, however, left Isabela Gov. Rodolfo "Rodito" Taguinod Albano III to handle the situation.
“Papa-drug test ko muna, parang wala sa sarili e,” Remulla told reporters during an interview at the blessing and turnover of the Unified 911 Emergency Response Motorcycles at Camp BGen Vicente P. Lim, Calamba City, Laguna.
(I'll have him tested for drugs first, he seems out of it.)
“Tingin ko talaga adik eh. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng Vice Mayor na kung manigaw ganun eh. Parang naka singhot kung umasta eh,” he added.
(“I really think he’s an addict. It’s my first time seeing a vice mayor who yells like that. He acts like he sniffed something.)
The Department of the Interior and Local Government exercises general supervision over local governments.
Extensive, expensive drug test
According to Respicio, he underwent an extensive drug test at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City where he was made to undergo a urine test in a very controlled environment leaving no room for foul play.
“Ora-orada akong pumunta dito sa St. Luke's Quezon City para magpa-drug test. Pinaka-extensive na drug test 'yung dine-ko, may qualitative and may quantitative. So, kakakuha lang ng sample sa akin and in 15 minutes, lalabas na po 'yung ah qualitative results and in 2 hours lalabas na rin po 'yung quantitative results,” Respicio said.
(I rushed over here to St. Luke's Quezon City to get tested for drugs. I took the most extensive test—both qualitatively and quantitatively. They just got my sample, and in 15 minutes, the qualitative results will be out, and in 2 hours, the quantitative results will also come out.)
I accept consequences, I don’t regret my actions
Respicio said he was ready to face the consequence of his actions but also emphasized that the authorities should look more into holding thieves in government accountable.
He said he would accept whatever penalty, even if he gets suspended.