Lto Re-Imposes Drug Tests Drivers License Requisite

[MikeB]

To pee or not to pee? In LTO Region 7, the former.

"Sunday, June 22, 2014

DESPITE a law abolishing the drug test as a pre-requisite to getting a driver’s license, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 implemented it again to comply with the order of the Toledo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 59. The re-imposition of the drug test on all driver’s license applicants was ordered by RTC Branch 59 Presiding Judge Hermes Montero last June 9, 2014 in connection with Special Civil Case No. SPCA-T-03 filed by a resident last year. Based on Montero’s order, LTO 7 Director Arnel Tancinco issued Office Order Act-2014-319 to all chief of offices, extension offices, and licensing centers, driver’s license renewal center to require “negative drug test result for driver’s license transactions”. As this developed, drivers organizations are planning to petition to the Supreme Court for a ruling on whether or not a RTC Judge’s can supersede a law passed by Congress.

Added burden

In an earlier interview, Richard Corominas, president of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association (CPBOA) and Julito Flores, president of the Cebu South Mini bus Operators Association (CPBOA), said a drug test is an additional burden to drivers.

Congress passed Republic Act (RA) 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, which President Benigno Aquino III signed into law in May 2013.

Results

RA 10586 effectively repealed Section 36 (a) of RA 9165 or the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 requiring applicants to submit drug test results before they can be issued driver’s license.

Virginia Torres, then LTO chief, issued an order implementing RA 10586 on June 27, 2013, and the drug test as a pre-requisite for the issuance of driver’s license was stopped.

However, Dulcisimo tuldanes of Toledo City filed a civil case of prohibition and a mandamus with prayer for temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary mandatory injunction against Torres and other Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and LTO officials before RTC 59. Judge Montero granted Tuldanes’s petition on Oct. 9, 2013 and issued an injunction, thus the drug test was restored. But LTO chief Alfonso Tan revoked Torres’ order, which was the subject of the court order and stopped the drug test. (EOB)"

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2014/06/22/lto-re-imposes-drug-tests-driver-s-license-requisite-349544

[Thomas]

No reporter asking WHY idiots try to stop good ideas - again??? :1 (103):