Escudero backs lifestyle checks, urges Marcos to support anti-corruption bills

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Wednesday expressed support for the lifestyle checks ordered by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on all officials amid the investigation into questionable flood control projects.

"I fully support the President's call and initiative," the Senate President said, stressing that the order finds basis under the 1987 Constitution. 

Article XI Section 1 of the Constitution states that: "Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives."

Escudero also cited Section 8 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which indicates that if a public official has been found to have acquired during his incumbency, whether in his name or in the name of other persons, an amount of property and/or money manifestly out of proportion to his salary and to his other lawful income, that fact shall be a ground for dismissal or removal.

Malacañang earlier announced that Marcos ordered lifestyle checks among all officials, as the Chief Executive emphasized the need for continuous checking of records by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regarding the anomalous flood control projects.

To recall, Escudero recently admitted that Lawrence Lubiano, president of the Centerways Construction and Development Inc., was his campaign contributor in the 2022 elections. Centerways is one of the 15 contractors of flood control projects flagged by Marcos.

Escudero has denied involvement in any flood control projects in his home province of Sorsogon and other parts of the country.

For its part, the Commission on Elections has said contractors in government projects are prohibited from contributing funds to candidates.

Anti-corruption bills 

Meanwhile, Escudero also expressed hope that Marcos would support legislative measures against corruption, including the Senate Bill 232, which would waive the Bank Secrecy Law and mandate government officials and employees to execute and submit written permission to look into all their deposits and investments.

He also urged support for Senate Bill 783, which would prohibit relatives of public officials within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity in all government contracts.

"I hope the President will also support and include as part of his priority legislative agenda the following bills that we filed that compliments his initiatives to curb corruption," Escudero said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News