Three House members already took drug test

Three members of the House of Representatives have so far taken the drug test spurred by Rep. Raymond D. Palacios’ (Cov-Saipan) alleged involvement in illegal drugs and subsequent arrest on drug trafficking charges.

Floor leader George N. Camacho (Ind-Saipan) said that, to his knowledge, he, Speaker Eli D. Cabrera (R-Saipan), and Rep. Teresita A. Santos (Ind-Rota) are the only ones who have so far taken the drug test.

Cabrera early last week appointed Camacho to chair a special committee to investigate Palacios’ alleged drug involvement, while Santos is the author of a resolution requesting all members of the House to submit themselves to a drug test.

The still unnumbered resolution calls for each House member to submit to a drug test within 20 days and “provide a copy of their drug test results, immediately upon receipt, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

Palacios’ fellow Precinct II congressman, Rep. Ralph S. Demapan (Cov-Saipan), meanwhile, said he was both surprised and saddened by the arrest of his first cousin.

“He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. My only comment on the legal matter is that I hope he clears himself and receives his due process under our laws and I pray that justice, free from politics, prevails,” he said.

On the other hand, Demapan said “as a relative of Rep. Palacios, my thoughts and prayers are with his family. And, while Congressman Ray attends to his legal issues, I promise to support our family and to continue to do my best to represent our Precinct II constituents.”

As for the mandated drug test, Demapan said he is willing and ready to submit himself as soon as the House resolution becomes official.

One of the co-sponsors of Santos’ resolution, Rep. Edmund Villagomez (Cov-Saipan), for his part, said he will submit to the drug test.

He said because he is part of the ethics committee formed to probe Palacios’ alleged drug involvement, he will take the test before Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, the day the committee reconvenes.

“If people want their representatives to be as clean as possible, so be it. We are placed on a higher standard and we should follow those standards,” he said.

Villagomez added that failing a drug test and being charged with dealing or distribution are two different things.

“The guy who distributes can pass a drug test but that’s worse than the user because the user is only harming himself,” he said.

Cabrera early last week formed the Special Standing Committee on Official Conduct and Ethics and appointed Camacho to serve as it chairman. It will look into reports of drug-related issues involving Palacios and come up with recommendations, if warranted.

Along with Camacho, Santos, and Villagomez, also appointed to the seven-member committee are Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan), Trenton B. Conner (R-Tinian), Joseph Guerrero (R-Saipan), and Ray Yumul (R-Saipan).