BBM Ready to Undergo Lifestyle Check — Palace

OVP officials, employees also willing

- By HELEN FLORES

President Marcos is ready to undergo a lifestyle check and release his asset declaration, Malacañang said yesterday, following calls from lawmakers for the Chief Executive to lead by example amid investigations into anomalous flood control projects.

"All officials, personnel under the executive (branch), including the President, are ready (for lifestyle check)," Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

Marcos earlier ordered a lifestyle check on all government officials, starting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which is under scrutiny over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and House assistant minority leader and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co earlier said Marcos should lead by example and be the first to undergo lifestyle check.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros has also urged the President to take the lead and release to the public his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) as well as those of the members of his family.

Asked whether the President is willing to make public his SALN, Castro said: "It's included in the lifestyle check." "If necessary, as we have said... all members of the executive are ready for a lifestyle check," she said.

Castro also appealed to lawmakers to stay focused on the issue and pursue those involved in anomalous flood control projects.

"Let's not divert the discussion or politicize it," she said.

Marcos called for a probe into the flood control projects during his fourth State of the Nation Address last month.

The President has so far inspected flood control projects in Marikina, Iloilo, Bulacan and Benguet and has vowed to run after the officials who earned kickbacks and the contractors who colluded with them.

OVP ready, too