Photo credit: SMNI

Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte isn’t one to back down from a challenge, especially when it’s coming from his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte. On October 23, 2024, he stepped up and submitted a hair sample at a laboratory in Mandaluyong City to show that he has nothing to hide. His move came in response to Sara's recent call for government officials to prove they're drug-free.

Paolo said he took the test not just to respond to his sister's challenge, but to set an example. "I’m a clean leader," he shared, explaining that it was important for him to demonstrate transparency in public service.

While Paolo’s drug test was a bold move, his sister was equally game. Vice President Sara Duterte is willing to go a step further, stating she’s ready to take a neuro-psychiatric exam and a drug test herself – but on one condition. She wants other congressional candidates to do the same. It's all about showing that politicians aren't afraid to undergo scrutiny, she says.

Sara also pushed back against rumors questioning her stability, pointing out that her approach is just different from the usual politician’s. Her message? She doesn’t fit the mold of a typical public official, and she’s okay with that.