Senate President Francis Escudero on Wednesday endorsed a Malacañang order to conduct lifestyle checks on public officials and urged the Palace to put complementary anti-graft measures on its priority legislative list.
The Palace’s order for lifestyle checks has been prompted by mounting allegations of corruption in the implementation of flood-control projects, with billions in taxpayer money at stake. By subjecting public works officials to scrutiny, Malacañang hopes to do more than tighten ledgers—the aim is to uncover the unexplained wealth of those allegedly involved in anomalous contracts.
Escudero said the drive is anchored on the Constitution’s mandate that “public office is a public trust” (Article XI, Section 1) and on the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act’s provisions on dismissal for unexplained wealth.
He pushed two measures to give lifestyle checks real teeth: first, a bill requiring all officials and employees to sign waivers allowing authorities to examine their bank deposits and investments—effectively lifting bank secrecy for public servants.
Second, a bill disqualifying relatives of public officials, up to the fourth civil degree, from participating in any government contract.
The Senate president said these tools would tighten procurement oversight and speed case-building across agencies, starting with public works.
