By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday (15 Aug 2024) clarified that the annual physical examination does not require a mandatory drug test, contrary to reports circulating on social media.
It denied claims that its Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) is mandating judges and court employees to undergo drug testing.
“The OCA Circular issued by the Court Administrator just mandated the annual physical examinations of judges and court personnel on or before Oct. 15, 2024,” SC spokesperson lawyer Camille Ting explained in a press conference.
She added that under the Judiciary Health Plan and their contract with their health service provider, drug tests will be conducted, but this has yet to be implemented.
“What we really require is just a basic annual physical examination, which just consists of blood tests, urinalysis, all because the Supreme Court would like to make sure that their judges and court personnel are healthy,” the SC spokesperson stressed.
(ia/mnm)
