PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not heed the call of some “destabilizers” for him to undergo a hair follicle test, Malacañang said on Tuesday, following accusations from Sen. Imee Marcos that her brother has been a long-time user of illegal drugs.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated in a Palace press briefing that the President already underwent a drug test, which cleared him of allegations of drug use. “This has long been resolved. I will repeat, again and again, the President is clean,” she said.
Castro emphasized that the President will not give in to any instigation from “destabilizers” and “obstructionists” who seek to impose conditions and dictate terms that are not in line with his work. She reiterated that the administration will not be swayed by the noise of those making such demands.
Marcos Jr. presented a negative drug test from St. Luke’s Medical Center in 2021. However, this test was met with skepticism because he chose a private hospital, unlike other candidates who submitted to the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Critics, including Davao Representative Paolo Duterte, have repeatedly urged him to undergo a hair follicle drug test, which they claim yields more accurate results, especially for cocaine use.
