Isabela vice mayor tests negative for drugs, apologizes for outburst

MANILA — Harold Respicio, vice mayor of Reina Mercedes in Isabela, said Wednesday that he tested negative in a qualitative urine drug test that Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had challenged him to take.

Remulla issued the challenge in response to a video of Respicio screaming at barangay officials during a meeting of the Reina Mercedes municipal council, of which the vice mayor is presiding officer.

“I passed with flying colors. All negative,” Respicio said.

Respicio said he took the test at a private hospital in Quezon City.

In the quantitative test, 50 nanograms per milliliter of barbiturates were detected in his sample. However, the level was below the test’s cutoff.

The vice mayor maintained that he does not use illegal drugs and said his high energy should not be interpreted as drug use.

“‘Maybe medyo flamboyant ako sa video, mataas ang energy ko, pero malakas lang akong magkape,” Respicio, who had traded invectives with a barangay captain at the meeting, said. 

(Maybe I am a little flamboyant in the video, I had high energy, but I just drink a lot of coffee.)

Remulla congratulated Respicio for testing negative for drugs but said: ‘Hindi pala drugs, may deperensya ka lang talaga sa utak.’ 

(So, it wasn’t drugs, you’re just a little crazy.)

Respicio said he has no regrets about his outburst, saying it brought issues in his town to national attention.

He also said he and the official involved in the altercation have already apologized to each other and reconciled.

“Ang pinakamahalaga ay hindi kami nagsasakitan sa labas,” he added. 

(What matters is that we did not get violent outside the session hall.)

Respicio likewise challenged Remulla to look into what he described as alleged irregularities in Reina Mercedes, including alleged falsification of tobacco excise tax appropriations and harassment of tobacco farmers.

He said he is also willing to face any suspension that may be imposed on him over his conduct during the session.

“But at any rate, bossing, Secretary Jonvic, I am sorry,” also said.