MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered lifestyle audits on government officials amid an ongoing probe into alleged anomalies in flood control projects nationwide.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the directive will initially cover officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) but may expand to other agencies. Marcos stressed the investigation would be conducted thoroughly, with no exemptions regardless of political affiliation or position.
The order followed his recent inspections of 11 flood control projects in Marikina, Iloilo, Bulacan, and Benguet, where anomalies were discovered. Reports from citizens also fueled the move, with more than 9,000 complaints filed through the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” platform.
According to the PCO, the lifestyle audits may involve the Office of the Ombudsman, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the DPWH itself, depending on the scope of the review. These agencies will assess declared assets and actual lifestyles of officials to determine signs of unexplained wealth or corruption.
“These projects are meant to protect communities from disasters. If they are riddled with corruption, it is the people who suffer most,” Marcos said.
The administration vowed to pursue legal action against those found guilty, reaffirming its promise of accountability and transparency. The public is also encouraged to report questionable projects and transactions to assist in the probe.
The investigation forms part of the government’s broader anti-corruption campaign to ensure that infrastructure programs truly benefit the Filipino people.
