By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, <\/b>Correspondent<\/i><\/p>\n
PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand <\/span>R. Marcos, Jr.<\/span> on Wednesday mandated lifestyle evaluations on government officials as the investigation into dubious flood control proj<\/span>ects progresses.<\/p>\n \u201cThe President has mandated a <\/span>lifestyle evaluation for all of<\/span>f<\/span>icials amid <\/span>the ongoing inquiry into <\/span>questionable flood control initiatives,\u201d Palace Press Of<\/span>f<\/span>icer Clarissa A. Cas<\/span>tro disclosed during a news briefing conducted in Filipino. <\/span><\/p>\n She mentioned that the assessment would commence with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which administers flood control programs across the nation.<\/p>\n Mr. Marcos has also directed the continuous assessment of DPWH documentation related to dubious flood control initiatives.<\/p>\n \u201cThe government\u2019s inquiry is also in progress to identify individuals responsible for the projects intended to address the country’s significant flooding issue,\u201d Ms. Castro remarked, noting the govern<\/span>ment will pursue criminal charges <\/span>irrespective of political affiliations. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere will undeniably be legal actions. Those who deserve to face charges will be held accountable,\u201d she emphasized. <\/span><\/p>\n Earlier this month, Mr. Marcos introduced the sumbongsapangulo.ph<\/i><\/span> platform for Filipinos to report irregularities in flood mitigation <\/span>projects within their communities.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n As of Wednesday, Ms. Castro noted that the platform has received 9,020 reports.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 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,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n Ms. Castro assured that the assessment will be impartial and autonomous, despite claims of corrup<\/span>tion within certain departments. <\/span><\/p>\n Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, Transportation Secretary Vivencio \u201cVince\u201d B. Dizon, and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda\u00a0 <\/span>expressed their readiness to undergo a lifestyle evaluation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are receptive and supportive of the lifestyle evaluations,\u201d Ms. Pangandaman remarked to journalists at another event.<\/p>\n Mr. Aguda stated they would comply with the lifestyle evaluations. \u201cIn today\u2019s era of social media, nothing can be hidden anymore,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the appropriate course of action. For the entire government. I believe it\u2019s exceedingly crucial,\u201d Mr. Dizon declared.<\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n In his 4th<\/sup> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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. <\/span><\/p>\n University of Makati political science professor Ederson DT. Tapia remarked that lifestyle evaluations in the Philippines are frequently symbolic rather than systemic.<\/p>\n While Mr. Marcos\u2019 directive demonstrates political intent, the real challenge is whether it will result in prosecutions and reforms or merely remain superficial, he added.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s 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,\u201d he conveyed in a Facebook Messenger chat.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the genuine cost of corruption; it robs both present and future,\u201d Mr. Tapia remarked.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cLifestyle evaluations are intended to be recognized as initial steps; they cannot constitute the entirety of the investigation,\u201d he stated in a Facebook Messenger chat.<\/p>\n