President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is willing to undergo a lifestyle check—including disclosure of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), if necessary—as part of the administration’s anti-corruption drive, Malacañang said Friday.
“All members of the executive, including the President, are ready for a lifestyle check,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing.
Castro made the statement after lawmakers urged President Marcos to submit himself to the same scrutiny he ordered for executive officials amid allegations of irregularities in flood control projects.
The Palace Press Officer emphasized that the call for lifestyle checks is intended to address concerns about corruption, rather than being diverted into political debates.
“The issue here is to go after those involved in the flood control projects. Let’s not politicize this matter,” Castro said.
Lawmakers, including Senator Risa Hontiveros, have called for full disclosure of public officials’ SALNs as part of transparency measures.
Asked whether the president would be open to releasing his SALN, Castro said it would fall under the scope of the lifestyle check.
“If there is a lifestyle check, whether the President comes first or last, it will include him,” she said.
The Palace also noted that the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body, holds the authority to initiate and conduct lifestyle checks.
“We mentioned the Ombudsman because they have the right and authority to conduct investigations. Whatever process or mechanics they decide on, that will be up to them,” Castro said, adding that Malacañang will await updates on discussions between Marcos and Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas.
President Marcos earlier ordered lifestyle checks across executive agencies following allegations of irregularities in various flood control projects.
