Respicio undergoes drug test after Jonvic Remulla's call

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Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Harold Respicio underwent a drug test at St. Luke’s Medical Center - Quezon City on Wednesday.

This is following Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s call for him to take a drug test.

Based on a document posted by Respicio, an invoice from St. Luke’s Medical Center showed that he paid P28,011 in cash for the drug-abuse screening.

Remulla earlier said he wanted Respicio to undergo a drug test following a heated incident during a session of the Sangguniang Bayan.

“Ipapa-drug test ko muna, parang wala sa sarili,” Remulla said in an ambush interview on Wednesday.

(I'll have him undergo a drug test first. He doesn’t seem like himself.)

Remulla said he would leave it to provincial officials to deal with Respicio but suggested that the vice mayor undergo a drug test, citing his behavior during the heated session.

“But [Governor Rodolfo Albano is] handling him. I advise him to give him a drug test kasi mukhang adik yung asal niya eh,” Remulla said.

(But [Governor Rodolfo Albano is] handling him. I advise him to give him a drug test because his behavior seems like that of a drug addict.)

Respicio earlier challenged Remulla to take a drug test with him.

“Secretary Jonvic, magpa-drug test tayo now. Live! Exclusive! Samahan mo ko sa St. Luke’s, now! Today! Tignan natin kung nagdru-drugs si Atty. Harold Respicio,” he said.

(Secretary Jonvic, let's take a drug test now. Live! Exclusive! Join me at St. Luke's, now! Today! Let's see if Atty. Harold Respicio is on drugs.)

In another remark after taking the test, Respicio said: “Jonvic, i-refund mo ko. Ang mahal ng drug test.”

(Jonvic, refund me. Drug tests are expensive.)

A video of Respicio confronting barangay officials over uncompleted projects for tobacco farmers has recently circulated on social media.

The incident occurred during a session of the Sangguniang Bayan and prompted calls for action against the local official. Remulla said provincial authorities would handle the matter. —VAL, GMA News