Hontiveros expects Marcos to include himself in lifestyle check

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said Thursday she expects that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will set an example by also subjecting himself to a lifestyle check amid the investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

"I suppose nu'ng sinabi ni Presidente na magpa-lifestyle check at kahit limitado lang 'yun sa Executive sa simula, I presume, sinasali niya ang sarili niya," Hontiveros said during a Kapihan sa Senado media forum. 

(I suppose when the President ordered a lifestyle check even though it was only initially limited to officials in the executive department, I presume, he was including himself.)

"Kung nag-utos si Presidente ng lifestyle check, magandang halimbawa at pagpapakita din ng pamumuno kung kasamang ibubunyag 'yung kanyang SALN," she added, referring to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth that all government officials and employees, whether regular or temporary, are required to submit annually.

(If the President ordered a lifestyle check, it would be a good example and show of leadership if his SALN is also disclosed.)

Hontiveros said Marcos may also voluntarily expand the lifestyle check to members of his family.

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

Asked who will lead the lifestyle checks, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said this would depend on the agencies handling the offices. She mentioned that the Office of the Ombudsman and the Bureau of Internal Revenue could also conduct lifestyle checks.

Several congressmen on Thursday expressed support for the President's order, with some opposition lawmakers saying that Marcos should take the lead by subjecting himself to a lifestyle check.

GMA News Online has requested comment from Malacañang regarding the matter, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

'Middle-class lifestyle'

Further, Hontiveros said she was willing to undergo a lifestyle check and even disclose her SALN to the public, so that everyone could see her "middle-class lifestyle."

"Mas willing pa nga kung sama-sama kami sa minority para ipakita na collective responsibility ito. Individually namin gagawin as part of a collective, whether 'yung minority sa Senate or 'yung buong Senado," she added. 

(I'll be more willing to do it if I'll be joined by other members of the minority to show that this is a collective responsibility. We will do it individually as part of a collective, whether in the minority or the Senate as a whole.) 

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Wednesday also expressed support for Marcos' order for lifestyle checks, stressing that the order finds basis under the 1987 Constitution.

Support from senators

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva agreed that all public officials–whether elected or appointed—should be included in the lifestyle checks.

"Dapat nga po periodic ang pagsasagawa ng lifestyle check. Iniuutos po ng ating Constitution 'yung to serve with integrity and lead modest lives," Villanueva said. 

(Lifestyle checks should be done periodically. Our Constitution mandates that we serve with integrity and lead modest lives.) 

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan also expressed support, noting the social media posts that supposedly show the lavish lifestyles of relatives of those allegedly behind the questionable flood control projects. 

He also called on Filipinos to be vigilant and to report politicians who have "extravagant lifestyles." 

Likewise, Senator Win Gatchalian said the lifestyle checks should not only be limited to officials of the DPWH, but also those in other agencies with large infrastructure budgets.

"This is a vital step towards restoring public trust and ensuring accountability. With numerous anomalous flood control projects involving billions in public funds, we must take the fight against corruption seriously and implement it comprehensively," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News