Marcos orders lifestyle checks on gov't officials

DPWH execs first on list

- By JANVIC MATEO

President Marcos has ordered a lifestyle check on all government officials, starting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which is under scrutiny over substandard and ghost flood control projects.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said each agency would conduct the lifestyle checks, which she vowed would not spare anyone, including administration allies.

"President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed the conduct of lifestyle checks on all officials in the midst of the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects," the Palace press officer said at a briefing yesterday.

"Along with this, President Marcos emphasized the continuous checking of the records of the DPWH in relation to anomalous projects. The government's investigation is ongoing to determine those behind the projects that were supposed to help solve the widespread flooding in the country."

Asked how the administration would ensure the independence of the lifestyle checks, Castro replied: “The President has spoken so the agencies should perform their duty. Let us trust them and if we see anomalies in their investigation, their work would be questionable and they would be included in the investigation.”

“Charges will be filed. Those who should be charged will be charged. No one will be spared, not even allies. Whoever is involved will be charged,” she added.

Marcos called for a probe into the flood control projects during his fourth State of the Nation Address last month, saying the subpar and ghost projects had worsened the impact of recent cyclones and had brought sufferings to affected communities.

The sumbongsapangulo.ph website has received more than 9,000 reports as of yesterday. Marcos has so far inspected 11 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.