By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is ready to undergo a lifestyle check, including the disclosure of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) if needed, as he mounts a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
In a Malacañang press briefing Friday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reiterated the President’s order for a lifestyle check on all government officials under the Executive Branch, starting with those in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—which handles infrastructure projects.
“Kapag po nagkaroon ng lifestyle check, mauna [o] mahuli man ang Pangulo, kasama po iyan (SALN). Kung kinakailangan nga po sabi nga po natin, ulitin natin, lahat ng miyembro ng ehekutibo, ready for a lifestyle check,” Castro said.
Amid calls for the President to disclose his SALN, Castro stressed that the goal of the probe into anomalous projects is to hold accountable those involved and promote transparency in how public funds are used.
“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,” she said.
Under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees, government officials and employees are required to submit their SALNs. However, the Office of the Ombudsman issued a memorandum in 2020 that allowed the release of SALNs only for official investigations or by court order.
Meanwhile, the Palace also welcomed the growing public scrutiny into the lifestyles of family members of government officials and contractors linked to questionable flood control projects.
“Iyon naman din po talaga ang naisin ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. na lahat-lahat po tayo ay magtulungan upang masawata itong mga korapsiyon na ito,” Castro said.
“At hindi lamang po ang gobyerno, ang pamahalaan ang dapat kumilos kung hindi ang taumbayan na nakakaalam ng mga nangyayari sa paligid nila. So, mas maganda po talagang isumbong nila sa Pangulo itong mga ganitong klaseng insidente at kondisyon,” she added.
-jpv
