00:00Political Affairs Officer for Sen. Robin Padilla Nadia Montenegro stepped down from her position in line with the recent marijuana controversy in the Senate.
00:08Meanwhile, several senators expressed openness to undergo drug testing as our Daniel Manalastas reports.
00:16Several senators are now open to undergo a drug test in light of controversy and allegation of marijuana use inside the Senate premises.
00:26Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri took the initiative by getting a drug test along with his staff and he has message to his fellow senators.
00:35In-encourage ko po ang lahat ng mga senador at kanila maopisina na magpa-drug test na.
00:41Para sa ganun ay talagang mawawala ng duda na may nagdudurog dito sa ating senado.
00:50Pag wala naman kayong tinatago, bakit matatakot po kayong mag-drug test?
00:54Zubiri, for his part, will not dismiss yet his staff who might test positive.
01:00But Sen. Rafi Tulfo, who is set to undergo a drug test tomorrow along with his staff, has a different perspective.
01:07We have to suspend them for the meantime and rehabilitate.
01:12Pagkatapos po ng rudimentary period for rehabilitation at positive pa rin po sila, then we have no choice but to dismiss the employee.
01:22Our employee, coterminous naman po yan sa akin dahil mahirap eh.
01:26Si Baklo, no ifs, no buts, no exception.
01:31O ngayon pag nagparehab siya on her or his own, and then magaling na siya, hindi pwede kong tanggapin ulit.
01:38And in light of marijuana controversy, Nadia Montenegro, the political affairs officer of Sen. Robin Padilla, has resigned.
01:47Her written explanation and resignation letter was sent to Padilla's chief of staff, Attorney Rudolph Jurado.
01:54Montenegro clarified that her decision to resign should not be misconstrued as an admission of guilt,
02:01and it is rather her demonstration of deep respect for the Senate and Padilla's office.
02:08She added that she was unfairly subjected to a publicity trial, misjudgments, and bashings,
02:14and even her children were also subjected to ridicule.
02:18She vehemently denies that she is the staff member of a senator being mentioned in the articles.
02:25She insisted that as a political affairs officer, she served with utmost integrity, honesty, and respect to the law,
02:35saying she will never disrespect the Senate.
02:38Daniel Manastas from the National TV for a new and better Philippines.
