Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6994

House Bill No. —____

Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARINO
5th District, Batangas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill aims to revive the mandatory drug testing for the application/renewal of
driver’s license pursuant to the Constitutional principle recognizing the protection of
life and property and the promotion of the general welfare. For one, use of illegal
drugs has been documented to alter perception and therefore pose a hazard to the
driver himself and to the public. Considering the proliferation of illegal drugs and the
hazards caused by these substances, it is the policy of the State to ensure the road
safety of motorists by providing policies that would help prevent further risks caused
by illegal drugs and similar substances.

The mandatory drug testing provision under Republic Act No. 9165 or the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, prior to its repeal by Republic Act No.
10586, for instance, served as an effective measure in preventing drug users from
becoming licensed drivers.

Data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in 2013 reveal that more than
6,000 applications for driver’s licenses were rejected in the first four months of the
same year after said applicants tested positive for illegal use of drugs. Thus,
mandatory drug test as a preventive measure enables the State to protect its citizens
from the dangers of having drug users as licensed drivers. This measure is also in
consonance with this administration’s war against illegal drugs.

The bill further mandates the LTO to conduct a periodic review of drug testing
laboratories relative to the number of incidence of drivers who had been issued
drug-free certifications but were subsequently apprehended for driving under the
influence of drugs. This is to warrant the credibility of mandatory drug testing as a
preventive measure and a deterrence of dangerous drug use among drivers.

In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARINO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6994

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. MARIO VITTORIO “MARVEY” A. MARINO
5% District, Batangas

AN ACT REINSTITUTING THE MANDATORY DRUG TESTING
FOR APPLICATION/RENEWAL OF DRIVER’S LICENSE,
THEREBY REPEALING A PORTION OF SECTION 19 OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10586

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Mandatory Drug Testing. — Subparagraph (a), Section 36, Article
Ill of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 is
hereby reinstituted.

SECTION 2. Periodic Review of Drug Test Certificates Issued. ~ The Land
Transportation Office (LTO) shall conduct a periodic review of drug testing clinics or
laboratories that had issued drug-free certifications in favor of applicants which led to
the corresponding issuance of their driver’s licenses, but who were subsequently
apprehended for driving under the influence of drugs.

The high rate of incidence of drivers driving under the influence of drugs relative
to drug-free certifications shall be a ground for the suspension or revocation of the
certificate of accreditation of said clinic or laboratory.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — A portion of Section 19 of Republic Act No.
10586 and all other laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum circulars
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity. — This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,