Senators volunteer for lifestyle checks amid flood control corruption probe

Metro Manila, Philippines - Several senators have volunteered to undergo lifestyle checks as the Senate leadership backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order for executive officials in light of corruption allegations in flood control projects.

Senator Imee Marcos, the president’s sister, said lawmakers should set an example and be the first to put their lifestyles under scrutiny.

“Hindi ba dapat mauna kami [Shouldn’t we be first]?” she told reporters in a chance interview at the Senate on Thursday, Aug. 28..

She added that the order is long overdue and should be followed up with investigations on officials who fail the checks.

“Kasi kung titignan mo yung mga Facebook nila, ikaw ang masisindak sa pinagmamalaki na mga sasakyan, mga apartments sa ibang bansa, mga alahas na kakaiba,” she said.

[Translation: If you look at their Facebook accounts, you’d be shocked at the cars they flaunt, the apartments abroad, and the extravagant jewelry.]

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva both cited the constitutional mandate for public officials to “lead modest lives.” Escudero said laws require dismissal of officials found to have acquired wealth disproportionate to their income.

“Dapat nga po periodic ang pagsasagawa ng lifestyle check,” Villanueva added.

Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she is willing to show her “middle-class lifestyle” and believes other minority senators would do the same. Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III earlier said even spouses of government officials must be checked.

“Kahit pa paano nakakatulong maglikha ng environment, ng transparency, kasi kung alam namin na mayat-maya kailangan sabihin namin o ipakita namin sa publiko ano ang aming lifestyle,” Hontiveros said, adding the need to hold erring officials accountable.

[Translation: In some way, it helps create an environment of transparency, because… we know that from time to time we need to disclose or show the public our lifestyle.]

Senator JV Ejercito, meanwhile, earlier called for district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways to be summoned and questioned over their lavish lifestyles, including luxury cars and expensive watches.

“If you are working with a modest salary, it's impossible for you to be able to afford those luxurious items,” he said.

Aside from DPWH officials, lawmakers are accused of receiving kickbacks from projects funded through congressional insertions - an issue under investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee. The House will begin its own probe.