By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Correspondent
PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday mandated lifestyle evaluations on government officials as the investigation into dubious flood control projects progresses.
“The President has mandated a lifestyle evaluation for all officials amid the ongoing inquiry into questionable flood control initiatives,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro disclosed during a news briefing conducted in Filipino.
She mentioned that the assessment would commence with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which administers flood control programs across the nation.
Mr. Marcos has also directed the continuous assessment of DPWH documentation related to dubious flood control initiatives.
“The government’s inquiry is also in progress to identify individuals responsible for the projects intended to address the country’s significant flooding issue,” Ms. Castro remarked, noting the government will pursue criminal charges irrespective of political affiliations.
“There will undeniably be legal actions. Those who deserve to face charges will be held accountable,” she emphasized.
Earlier this month, Mr. Marcos introduced the sumbongsapangulo.ph platform for Filipinos to report irregularities in flood mitigation projects within their communities.
The President has thus far visited 11 sites that were reported on the platform, including a nonexistent project valued at P55 million in Bulacan province.
As of Wednesday, Ms. Castro noted that the platform has received 9,020 reports.
Department leaders will spearhead the lifestyle evaluations, although Ms. Castro mentioned that the Ombudsman and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) could also initiate such assessments independently.
“In each agency, a lifestyle evaluation can be performed. The Ombudsman may instigate it, and the BIR could execute inspections and lifestyle evaluations within their scope,” she stated.
Ms. Castro assured that the assessment will be impartial and autonomous, despite claims of corruption within certain departments.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, Transportation Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon, and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda expressed their readiness to undergo a lifestyle evaluation.
“We are receptive and supportive of the lifestyle evaluations,” Ms. Pangandaman remarked to journalists at another event.
Mr. Aguda stated they would comply with the lifestyle evaluations. “In today’s era of social media, nothing can be hidden anymore,” he added.
“That’s the appropriate course of action. For the entire government. I believe it’s exceedingly crucial,” Mr. Dizon declared.
Despite the alleged corruption within the ranks of DPWH and calls for a new leader, Ms. Castro affirmed that the President maintains full trust in Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan.
In his 4th State of the Nation Address on July 28, Mr. Marcos ordered a thorough investigation into questionable flood control initiatives as various parts of the country faced severe flooding during adverse weather.
He instructed the DPWH to provide a comprehensive list of projects from the past three years, emphasizing that those fraught with discrepancies must undergo thorough examination.
University of Makati political science professor Ederson DT. Tapia remarked that lifestyle evaluations in the Philippines are frequently symbolic rather than systemic.
While Mr. Marcos’ directive demonstrates political intent, the real challenge is whether it will result in prosecutions and reforms or merely remain superficial, he added.
“What’s at stake transcends billions lost; it encompasses the lives and welfare that those funds could have safeguarded. Every peso squandered on dubious flood control initiatives equates to a classroom unconstructed, a hospital unfunded, or a community persistently vulnerable to floods,” he conveyed in a Facebook Messenger chat.
“That’s the genuine cost of corruption; it robs both present and future,” Mr. Tapia remarked.
Hansley A. Juliano, a political science instructor at the Ateneo de Manila University, asserted that lifestyle evaluations should merely serve as preliminary instruments and not the definitive method of investigation.
“Lifestyle evaluations are intended to be recognized as initial steps; they cannot constitute the entirety of the investigation,” he stated in a Facebook Messenger chat.
“It is within the rights of the government and judicial systems to demand the disclosure of SALNs (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth) just as we require from public officials under scrutiny (or even in the case of extreme Sandiganbayan proceedings and impeachment).”
Mr. Juliano emphasized that government officials must uphold standards; otherwise, these efforts may risk being seen as mere “optics.”
Concerning flood control initiatives, he pointed out that those funded or assisted by international partners often experience stricter oversight, while local government unit-led projects lacking external or civil society monitoring are more susceptible to irregularities.
He underscored that flood mitigation strategies must rely on feasibility studies and considerations regarding climate change to avoid falling into wasteful “band-aid” fixes driven by propaganda or political interests.
