By Joyce Pangco Pa?ares

PRESIDENT Arroyo has approved the guidelines for random drug testing in all high schools, colleges and vocational schools nationwide that is set to begin on Monday.

Under the new guidelines, drug dependents will not be punished but rehabilitated.

Mrs. Arroyo will also extend her term as the country?s anti-drug czar until the middle of February, pending a report from the independent team tasked to investigate allegations that money changed hands for the release of the so-called Alabang Boys.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the independent panel would include retired Associate Justice Carolina Aquino as head and retired Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Raoul Victorino and San Beda law school dean Ranhillo Aquino as members.

?They will be given 15 days to finish their investigation,? Ermita said. Mrs. Arroyo earlier said she would remain anti-drug czar until the independent panel had submitted its report, which was supposed to be on Jan. 22.

The guidelines say drug testing will be considered ?entirely a health issue,? and that ?under no circumstances shall the activity be used to incriminate any student for further legal action that may result in having criminal records and incarceration.?

Ten students will be randomly selected per school through a computerized lottery system.

?First- time positive confirmatory drug test result shall not be a ground for expulsion or any disciplinary action,? the guidelines say.

?In the event it is determined the student is a drug dependent, the school may impose the appropriate sanctions against the student as provided for in the school?s Student Handbook and the Manual of Regulations for Private Schools.?

Students found to be drug dependents will be required to undergo a three-month observation and counseling under the supervision of a Health Department-accredited facility or physician in consultation with the parents.

Also yesterday, a Palace official said Mrs. Arroyo expected retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan to wage the same fierce war against communist rebels, during his term as military commander, against drug lords and drug syndicates following his appointment to the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Ermita said Palparan, who earned the moniker ?butcher of Mindoro? for his campaign against insurgents and militant groups, would likely fill a vacant position in the board for the non-government organization sector.

?There is one board vacancy for the NGO sector, and we are looking at that position to be filled up by General Palparan,? Ermita said, pointing out that Palparan had run and lost as a party-list representative to Congress.