Marcos ready for lifestyle check, SALN disclosure - Palace

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is “ready” to face a lifestyle check - including the release of his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) - as part of his transparency directive to executive officials in light of corruption issues.

“Lahat po ng ehekutibo, miyembro ng ehekutibo ay ready pati po ang Pangulo [All members of the executive, including the president, are ready],” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Malacañang press briefing on Friday, Aug. 29.

A number of lawmakers have urged Marcos to lead by example and subject himself to a lifestyle audit after ordering similar checks for executive officials. This comes in the wake of a corruption scandal involving billions of pesos in flood control projects.

Castro was particularly asked about Senator Risa Hontiveros’ statement that Marcos could set a good example by making his SALN public.

"Kung nag-utos si presidente ng lifestyle check, magandang halimbawa at pagpapakita din ng pamumuno kung kasamang ibubunyag 'yung kanyang SALN,” Hontiveros said during the Kapihan sa Senado media forum on Sept. 28.

[Translation: If the president has ordered a lifestyle check, it would be a good example of leadership for him to disclose his own SALN.]

Castro initially dismissed the call as politicking.

“Sinabi po natin na ang pangulo, ang buong ehekutibo ay ready for lifestyle check. So, huwag po tayong lumayo sa isyu. Ang isyu po ngayon ay tuligsain at habulin ang mga involved sa flood control projects. So, huwag po nating ibahin at huwag tayo medyo mamulitika patungkol dito,” Castro said.

[Translation: We’ve already said the president and the entire executive branch are ready for a lifestyle check. Let’s not divert from the real issue, which is to go after those involved in the flood control anomalies. Let’s not politicize the matter.]

Pressed for a categorical answer, Castro said Marcos is willing to disclose his SALN “kung kinakailangan [if necessary]” as part of the lifestyle check.

“Kapag po nagkaroon ng lifestyle check, mauna, mahuli man ang pangulo, kasama po iyan [If there is a lifestyle check, whether the President goes first or last, that will be included],” she said.

Under Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, all government officials and personnel are required to file their annual SALN with the Civil Service Commission under oath. However, public access to these documents remains limited - fueling calls for the enactment of a freedom of information law.