Manila, May 29 -- A government employee facing an administrative offense for drug use must be given an opportunity to undergo rehabilitation, the Supreme Court (SC) said Thursday.

"Dismissal is only justified if they refuse to cooperate with, or fail to complete, the required rehabilitation program. This is consistent with the approach provided by law and treaties to consider drug use as a public health challenge," the court said in a statement.

This was underscored by the SC En Banc in a decision dated May 20, 2025 which modified the Court of Appeals' (CA) rulings that upheld the dismissal of Muntinlupa City Office Engineer Carlito Salomon after he tested positive twice for shabu.

Salomon first tested positive in an initial screening ...