Marcos orders lifestyle checks on officials linked to flood control projects

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered lifestyle checks on government officials amid investigations on anomalous flood control projects, Malacañang said Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The move comes as the administration continues reviewing Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) records tied to projects meant to ease flooding in parts of the country. Officials are identifying those behind projects that failed to deliver expected results.

“Ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang pagkakaroon ng lifestyle check sa lahat ng mga opisyal sa gitna ng imbestigasyon patungkol sa maanomalyang flood control projects,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

[Translation: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered lifestyle checks on all officials amid the investigation on anomalous flood control projects.]

She said Marcos personally inspected 11 flood control projects in Marikina, Iloilo, Bulacan, and Benguet in recent days, in light of complaints submitted through the reporting platform, sumbongsapangulo.ph.

Malacañang said the site has received 9,020 reports related to questionable flood control projects as of Wednesday morning. It has encouraged the public to submit complaints to ensure transparency and accountability.

The lifestyle checks will initially focus on DPWH officials but could extend to other departments if needed. Each agency may conduct its own checks, with oversight from the Office of the Ombudsman and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

“Unang-una po, hindi po natin maikakaila na mayroong mga DPWH officials na sinasabing involved at malamang ay magsimula sila doon,” Castro said.

[Translation: First of all, we cannot deny that there are DPWH officials said to be involved, and the checks will likely begin there.]

Castro assured the public that the investigation would remain independent and impartial.

“Nagsalita na po kasi ang pangulo, so dapat ang bawat ahensya ay tumupad sa kanilang tungkulin… Kapag may nakita din tayong anomalya sa kanilang pag-iimbestiga, magiging kuwestiyonable rin po ang kanilang pagtatrabaho,” she said.

[Translation: The president has spoken, so each agency must fulfill its duty… If we find anomalies in their investigation, their work may also be called into question.]

The administration said all parties involved, including contractors and local officials, will be investigated.

“Lahat po ng kasabwat, ayon naman po sa Pangulong Marcos Jr., lahat ng kasabwat, lahat ng may kinalaman at lahat ng nakipag-conspire sa ganitong klaseng maanomalyang flood control projects, lahat po iyan ay kasama sa pag-iimbestiga,” Castro said.

[Translation: All accomplices, according to President Marcos Jr., all involved and all who conspired in anomalous flood control projects will be investigated.]

The president has vowed that no one will be spared from accountability.

“Magdedemanda po talaga, sasampahan ng kaso ang dapat masampahan ng kaso. Walang sisinuhin, walang malapit sa puso, walang kaalyado – kung sinuman ang involved dito, sasampahan ng kaso,” Castro said.

[Translation: Complaints will be filed, and cases will be pursued against those who should face charges. No one will be spared, no favorites, no allies – whoever is involved will be held accountable.]

Marcos previously aired his frustration after inspecting flood-control projects in Bulacan and Benguet, calling them “useless” and a “waste” of public funds.