Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Wednesday, August 27 said he supports President Marcos’ call for a lifestyle check on all government officials amid the ongoing investigation into anomalous flood control projects.

“I think it’s about time…government officials ought to be following a modest lifestyle, and etiquette. It’s about time because there are some officials who have become too greedy,” Ejercito told reporters during an interview at the Senate.

Ejercito pointed out there have been reports of some district engineers (DEs) from the  Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who now own “super cars” with one owning a Lamborghini SBJ which costs about P50 million, Ferrari SB90 that costs about P50 million and Lamborghini Urus that is worth P30 million.

Some DEs also reportedly wear a Richard Mill watch that costs P8 million and are sporting expensive clothes.

“So if you are working with a modest salary, it’s impossible for you to be able to afford those luxurious items. So those officials should be subjected to lifestyle checks,” he stressed.

“I would recommend that, when we convene the (Senate) Blue Ribbon Committee again, to subpoena these officials so we can also ask them to explain how they can afford having a luxurious lifestyle,” he said.

Ejercito said he hopes that the Senate will subpoena the officials in districts or areas that were identified by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson in his speech especially those in Bulacan and Mindoro, which are the notorious ones.

“There seems to be a syndicate. It’s a huge criminal syndicate,” he said.

The lawmaker also said even DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan is not yet off the hook: “There is command responsibility.”

“As I said, it’s command responsibility. It’s not an excuse. Ignorance of the wrongdoings of your subordinates is not an excuse. Dapat alam din niya (He should also know),” he said.

He also said it would be prudent for Bonoan to take a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing.

“So we really ought to look into the DPWH engineering district offices, especially those whose funding suspiciously increased,” he said.

“What is unfortunate here is that there are some projects that were just used as a front so they can use the allocation or fund. So now we know,” added Ejercito.