The Supreme Court on Monday revealed that it is now requiring a mandatory drug test for employment in the judiciary and in all offices under its supervision, and all personnel, including contractual workers like janitors and security guards, will be subject to drug tests.
This requirement is contained in the Guidelines for the Implementation of a Drug-Free Policy in the Judiciary, which was adopted by the Supreme Court through Administrative Matter No. 23-02-11-SC, a copy of which had been published in a national newspaper last Sunday.
The Court stressed: “Employees found positive for dangerous drug use shall be dealt with administratively, and such finding shall be a ground for suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Law and A.M. No. 21- 08-09-SC or the Further Amendments to Rule 140 of the Rules of Court.”
“The guidelines also seek to enhance awareness about the use, abuse, and adverse effects of dangerous drugs among the Judiciary’s officials and employees through information dissemination and periodic random drug testing,” the tribunal said.
The guidelines apply to all officials or personnel of the judiciary, regardless of status of appointment, who are employed at the SC, the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, the Court of Tax Appeals, and the first- and second-level courts under the direct supervision of the Office of the Court Administrator.
They also cover employees in the Judicial and Bar Council, Judicial Integrity Board, Philippine Judicial Academy, Office of the Judiciary Marshals, Mandatory Continuing Legal Office, and all other offices placed under the supervision of the SC.
According to the Court, other workers detailed or working in the courts such as security and janitorial services personnel hired through service contracts as well as employees detailed as members of the Senate Electoral Tribunal and House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal are also subject to the guidelines.