Marcos orders lifestyle checks amid flood control project probe
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a comprehensive lifestyle check for all government officials.
According to Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, the lifestyle checks will initially target officials involved in the anomalous flood control projects.
"Lahat ng may involved patungkol muna sa flood control projects na maanomalya,'' Castro said.
"Sa ginagawa pong pag-iimbestiga ng pangulo dito, ito naman po ay hudyat na rin po sa ibang government agencies, COA, BIR, LGUs, Bureau of Customs, na magkaroon po ng pag-iimbestiga dito. Marami po tayong nakikita na maraming nagkakaroon ng luxury cars, malamang ay dapat makita rin po ito ng BOC, kung ito rin po ba ay bayad sa mga taxes na required," Castro explained.
Similarly, Castro said that LGUs should verify if these contractors who are undertaking massive projects are compliant with their business and mayor's permits and are paying the correct taxes to the BIR.
"Ang pag-iimbestiga ng pangulo ay hudyat sa ibang ahensya na gawin din nila ang kanilang trabahao upang mag-imbestiga patungkol dito," Castro underscored, assuring the public that the government will not hesitate to file charges against anyone found to be involved.
"Magdedemanda po talaga, sasampahan po talaga ang dapat masampahan ng kaso. Walang sisinuhin, walang malapit sa puso, walang kaalyado o kung sino man ang involved dito, sasampahan ng kaso," she warned.
When asked about the names of specific officials, Castro mentioned that the investigation will likely start with officials from the DPWH.
Moreover, Castro noted that the president has personally inspected 11 projects in Marikina, Iloilo, Bulacan, and Benguet, just days after receiving reports on the official sumbongsapangulo.ph platform.
As of 9 a.m. on Aug. 27, the president's office has received a total of 9,020 reports related to flood control projects.
Ultimately, the administration is encouraging the public to remain vigilant and report any questionable flood control projects through the designated portal.
"Muling hinihikayat ng pamahalaan ang taumbayan na maki-alam at isumbong sa pangulo ang kwestyonableng flood control projects."
Earlier in August, over 40 mayors from the Mayors for Good Governance coalition signed a petition urging the DPWH and other government agencies to release all details on nationwide flood control projects.
Led by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Hataman, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, the group is demanding transparency amid persistent accusations of corruption in these projects.
The mayors have also expressed their support for Marcos Jr.'s recent directive to investigate the P350 billion in flood control projects, saying that they "welcome this move and fully support the pursuit of justice."
