By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and all members of the executive branch are ready to undergo a lifestyle check, Malacañang said Friday.
“Ang Pangulo, ang buong ehekutibo ay (The President and the entire executive branch are) ready for lifestyle check,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing, when asked about Marcos’ openness to also subject himself to a lifestyle check.
Marcos ordered lifestyle checks on all government officials, starting with those in the Department of Public Works and Highways, as part of the intensified efforts to combat corruption following the discovery of anomalous flood control projects.
Castro said Marcos is also willing to disclose his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), if necessary, as part of the lifestyle check.
She emphasized that Marcos’ directive for a lifestyle check should not be politicized, as the ultimate goal is to hold accountable those involved in irregularities.
“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 (Let us stay focused on the issue at hand. The issue now is to hold accountable those involved in the flood control projects. So, let us not divert the discussion or politicize it),” Castro said.
Marcos had personally inspected 11 flood control projects in Marikina in Metro Manila, Iloilo, Bulacan and Benguet, after receiving citizen complaints submitted through the government’s Sumbong Sa Pangulo (Report to the President) portal.
Som 9,020 reports related to questionable flood-control projects have been received through the platform as of Wednesday. (PNA)
