Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez. Handout photo

MANILA —Vice President Sara Duterte’s challenge for lawmakers to undergo drug and neuropsychiatric tests is a “diversionary tactic” from important issues she needs to respond to, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez,House Committee on Public Order and Safety chairperson, said Wednesday.

A House panel is investigating the alleged misuse of public funds within the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) during Duterte’s stint as DepEd chief. During its first hearing, Duterte denied there was misuse of public funds, but refused to take the customary oath to tell the truth, saying she did not have do it since she was only a resource speaker.

She has since skipped the succeeding hearings.

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“Nililihis tayo. Magaling sila sa ganyan. Kahit nga si former President, magaling maglihis ng mga issue… ‘Yung mga pronouncement ng VP, nililihis niya eh… Ida-divert mo sa isang petty thing para ‘yun ang mapag-usapan,” Fernandez said.

(She is trying to distract us. She is good at that. Former President Duterte is also good at diverting attention from issues. The VP's pronouncements are meant to divert attention to petty things so people will talk about that instead.)

Duterte had issued the challenge after House members suggested she take a psychiatric evaluation after hercontroversial press conference last week.

The Dutertes have been bringing up drug tests — particularly hair follicle tests that can detect past drug use for much longer than standard urine tests — in reference to rumors that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. uses illegal drugs.

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Fernandez stressed that the challenge is illogical and "obviously" a diversion.

Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr.,House Committee on Human Rights chairperson, meanwhile, said he accepts Duterte’s challenge.

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“Hindi lang ‘yung drug test. Mayroon siyang sinabing neuropsychiatric test, pati ‘yung drug test. Isama na natin ‘yung psychological test, saka spiritual test. Sama-sama na lahat ‘yan,” Abante, a Bible Baptist pastor, said.

(Not just the drug test. She mentioned a neuropsychiatric test aside from the drug test. Let's also get a psychological test and a spiritual test. All of those)

The so-called Young Guns at the House of Representatives also accepted on Tuesday Duterte’s challenge to undergo tests for illegal drug substances and psychiatric evaluation, with one condition: For Duterte to testify under oath before the House Committee on Good Government.