House lawmakers back lifestyle checks on gov’t officials

Metro Manila, Philippines - House lawmakers backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to conduct lifestyle checks on government officials amid corruption allegations in government infrastructure projects.

At front and center of the scrutiny are officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in light of flood control project controversies.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Aug. 28, Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the lifestyle check should cover all public officials.

“Meron talagang mga [There are] expectations on all government officials, on all government employees, na talaga pong dapat [that] we should be able to lead and live modest lives,” Ridon said.

“Kung nais ng pangulong simulan sa DPWH, well and good. Pero kinakailangan, lahat ‘yan pati judiciary, lahat na, talagang malawakang lifestyle check,” Abante said.

[Translation: If the president wants to start with the DPWH, well and good. But we need to have an expanded lifestyle check, including the judiciary.]

In separate statements, Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and CIBAC party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva also favored Marcos’ order.

“Malinaw: Nasa gobyerno tayo para magserbisyo, hindi para ipagyabang, o ipangalandakan ang poder, ang yaman at luho sa kapwa Pilipino. That lifestyle check must be accompanied by ‘corruption check’ and ‘accountability check,’” de Lima said.

[Translation: It is clear: We are here in the government to serve, not to flaunt wealth and luxury to fellow Filipinos.]

“All officials in all branches of the government should be subjected to lifestyle checks so that we can have a system of preventing public money from getting into private pockets,” Villanueva said.

SALN

Ridon said there is no need for a new bill mandating the SALN disclosure. He noted that a statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) is required for every public official.

“I think it's really just a question on, for example, the Ombudsman, kung dapat ba niyang linalabas na? Kasi I think ‘yun ‘yung isa sa mga naging problema ng previous Ombudsman dati. Parang dahil binara po ‘yung paglalabas ng SALN, wala pong access ‘yung publiko sa SALN ng matatas po na official ng government,” he said.

[Translation: I think it's really just a question on – for example, should the ombudsman already release it? Because I think that is one of the problems of the previous ombudsman before. The public has no access to high government officials’ SALN because it was blocked.]

In a memorandum circular, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires said requests for SALN will only be granted if the owner gave a notarized letter of authority.