He also plans to form a team that will look into the “rumor” about the impending arrest of Rep. Raymond D. Palacios on drug-related charges.
Cabrera, R-Tinian, went to Pacific Medical Center yesterday morning for the test.
He showed reporters his receipt and said it will take about a week to get the results.
He is hoping that other House members will follow his example and try to bring back the confidence of the people in the Legislature which, he added, is supposed to be a drug-free zone.
“I want people to know we have to be a drug-free environment because we are lawmakers and this is a drug-free Legislature,” he said.
“I’m hoping that they will volunteer. I’m not saying today or tomorrow or next week. I’m just asking them to volunteer,” he added, referring to his colleagues.
The Legislature, he added is supposed to have a drug-free policy so drug testing is not new. Each individual, he said, should comply with the drug-free policy.
“I will send out a memo probably in the next session asking the members to volunteer drug test,” he added.
Other members of the House interviewed by this reporter said they, too, are willing to take a drug test.
Rep. Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan, said he is willing to undergo a drug test anytime.
Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, said he has no problem with a voluntary drug test. He said he has been submitting himself to regular drug testing since becoming a lawmaker.
He noted, however, that no one among CNMI lawmakers has been arrested for illegal drugs — so far.
Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan said it will make more sense if all members will undergo the test.
“We are not going to accomplish anything if only some will volunteer,” he added.
He said it is not fair for any lawmaker to pay for the test if others won’t do the same.
In a separate interview, Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said all senators were tested early last year. He said a mandatory drug test is required by the Senate rules.
They will undergo another drug test, he added.
Probe team
Cabrera said he is forming a special standing committee that will look into the reports about Palacios, which, he added, surprised him and other members of the House.
“I was really surprised,” the speaker said adding that he never thought that any member would get involved in such rumors.
He said he’s not worried himself because he’s 100 percent sure he has never used drugs in his whole life.
His father, he added, was also an elected official and he always told his children never to get involved in illegal activities,.
Cabrera said he knows that Palacios has not been charged of anything but as speaker, he has to assure the public that lawmakers are not lawbreakers.
“Right now I will be issuing out a memo today that I will establish a special standing committee on official conduct and ethics to look at the issue as reported in yesterday’s paper,” he said.
“I want a report from the committee,” he added.
