The much awaited face-off between Davao City First District congressional bets Reps. Paolo “Pulong” Z. Duterte and Margarita “Migz” Nograles did not materialize but both took hair follicle drug tests on Wednesday (October 23).

Duterte and Nograles both visited High Precision Medical Laboratories branches that were hundreds of kilometers apart.

Duterte, eldest son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, gave samples of his hair and roots at the HPM Branch in Mandaluyong City.

On the other hand, Nograles, youngest daughter of the late House Speaker Prospero Nograles, gave hers at the HPM branch in Davao City.

The two will slug it out for the first district congressional post in the 2025 elections.

The “drug test” faceoff started On Wednesday when the incumbent district congressman dared Nograles to prove she does not take any illegal substance by undergoing a drug examination.

Duterte sent House reporters a copy of a drug test results of his examination last August.

Responding to the challenge, Nograles threw her own dare by asking the incumbent to have her hair tested on Thursday at the HPM branch in Davao City.

Nograles is the current House representative of the PBA Partylist.

“I appreciate that you have posted your drug test result but this is an old test done last August. For the sake of transparency and accountability to the people of Davao City, I’d like to invite you to join me for a new drug test tomorrow (October 230 at 1:30 PM at High Precision Laboratory in Bajada, Davao City,” said Nograles.

On Wednesday, Duterte sent a late afternoon press release to house reporters challenging Nograles to have a hair follicle test that he previously took.

Duterte enclosed a copy of the test he underwent at Omega Laboratories on August 14, indicating “negative” results to drug use.

“Ako, natapos ko na, pero kung kinakailangan pa, handa akong magpa-hair follicle test muli, at ulit-ulitin pa ito upang ipakita na walang dapat ipag-alala ang ating mga kababayan tungkol sa integridad ng kanilang mga lider,” he said.

Nograles quickly retorted: “Let’s do it at the same time and together show the people of Davao City that we are not afraid to prove ourselves. Hope to see you there.”