MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has once again rejected calls for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to undergo a drug test, this time renewed by Vice President Sara Duterte. The Vice President urged the President on Sunday to take the test to prove he is not using illegal substances.

Palace spokesperson Claire Castro fired back, pointing out that Sara Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, never complied with similar challenges during his six-year term. “Did she also ask her father to undergo a drug test? A sitting President cannot be ordered to take a drug test,” Castro said.

Vice President Duterte’s remarks also included allegations that members of the First Family used illegal drugs, claiming, “Everyone they attend parties with said they were using illegal drugs.”

Castro stressed that the President will continue focusing on governance and combating corruption, ignoring both the accusations from his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, and the recent comments from the Vice President. “President Marcos continues to work and pursue the corrupt — unlike others who showed signs of outbursts, cursing, and uncontrollable anger,” she added.

President Marcos previously underwent a drug test in 2021 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig following allegations of cocaine use among presidential candidates. The results were negative.