President Marcos has ordered lifestyle checks on government officials as part of an ongoing investigation into anomalous flood control projects, Malacañang said Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this following reports of substandard and irregular projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In a press briefing, the Palace Press Officer said the checks are expected to start with DPWH officials who have been linked to questionable projects.

“Ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang pagkakaroon ng lifestyle check sa lahat ng mga opisyal sa gitna ng imbestigasyon patungkol sa maanomalyang flood control projects (President Marcos has ordered lifestyle checks on all officials amid the investigation into anomalous flood control projects),” she said.

“Hindi po natin makakaila na mayroong mga DPWH officials na sinasabing involved at malamang ay magsimula sila doon (We cannot deny that there are DPWH officials allegedly involved, and most likely the checks will start there),” she added.

However, Castro said the order could extend to other agencies if links to irregularities are discovered.

“Lahat ng may involved patungkol muna sa flood control projects na maanomalya (All those involved in anomalous flood control projects will be covered),” she said.

Asked about who would lead the checks, Castro said several agencies have authority, including the Office of the Ombudsman, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the agencies themselves.

She also assured that the investigations will be independent despite corruption being described as “deeply entrenched” in the bureaucracy.

“Nagsalita na po kasi ang Pangulo so dapat ang bawat ahensiya ay tumupad sa kanilang tungkulin (The President has spoken, so each agency must fulfill its duty),” she said.

Castro said Marcos’ order should serve as a signal to agencies like the Commission on Audit (COA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and local governments to do their part in probing anomalies.

She particularly mentioned red flags such as sudden ownership of luxury cars, questionable business permits, and possible tax evasion.

“Marami po tayong nakikita na maraming nagkakaroon ng luxury cars, malamang ay dapat makita rin po ito ng BOC kung ito po ba ay bayad sa mga taxes na required (We are seeing many acquiring luxury cars, and the Bureau of Customs should check if these were properly taxed),” she said.

She added that contractors handling large projects should also be examined by local governments and the BIR to see if their reported earnings match their permits and tax payments.