Mandatory Drug Test for Driver’s License Remains Despite RA 10586

Those who want to secure driver’s licenses from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) are still required to undergo a mandatory drug testing despite of the enactment of Republic Act 10586 that revoked the old provisions of the law.

LTO-7 Regional Director Raul Aguilos explained that they could not immediately implement the provisions of the new law unless they receive the Implementing Rules and Regulation of the newly-passed Anti-Drunk and Drugged Law.

Accoring to Aguilos he received a status quo order from LTO Chief Virginia Torres directing all LTO offices nationwide to continue requiring the applicants for driver’s licenses to undergo drug testing.

“Nakadawat mi og status quo order from Asec Torres nga ipadayon pa ang mandatory drug test sa tanan license applicants while waiting for the IRR,” Aguilos said.

Republic Act 10586 repealed subparagraph (a), Section 36 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 which provides that  no driver’s license shall be issued or renewed to any person unless he or she presents a certification that he or she has undergone a mandatory drug test and indicating that he or she is free from the use of dangerous drugs.

Senator Vicente Sotto III said such provision of the law is not effective because the drug users will just stop using the illegal drugs days before they want to secure the driver’s licenses from any LTO branches.

The LTO is currently ironing out the IRR, together with the representatives from other government agencies like the Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Health and National Police Commission.

They have three months to draft the IRR, which aims to protect the public from those drivers who are driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs.

President Benigno Aquino III signed into law RA 10586 last May 27, 2013, that penalizes drunk driving and gives law enforcement the authority to conduct breath alcohol test and sobriety tests on drivers found to have an indication of drunk driving.