MANILA — Malacañang reminded Senator Robinhood Padilla that the Supreme Court bars universal drug testing, amid his proposal to require mandatory testing for all government personnel, including the President.

“Ang allowed lamang po ay ang random drug testing. So, baka magsayang lang po ng oras at pera o pondo si Senator Robin Padilla. Aralin po muna niya po ang nais niyang gawing batas,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

Castro cited the Supreme Court’s November 3, 2008 ruling in the case filed by the Social Justice Society against the Dangerous Drugs Board and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which struck down universal drug testing for violating the Constitution and the right to privacy.

Asked whether Malacañang supports Padilla’s measure, Castro replied: “Hindi ko sinasabing hindi pabor. Iyan ay labag sa batas.”

On Monday, Padilla filed Senate Bill 1200 mandating annual drug tests for all government officials, with a hair follicle test for screening and a urine test for confirming drug use.

The senator filed the bill on the same day his political affairs officer, Nadia Montenegro, resigned after being accused of using marijuana inside the Senate building, an allegation she has denied.