President Marcos is willing to undergo a lifestyle check along with all members of the Executive branch, Malacañang said amid the administration’s probe into anomalous flood control projects.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after the President ordered a lifestyle check on all government officials involved in flood control projects, beginning with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to pursue accountability across the bureaucracy.

In her press briefing, the Palace Press Officer said the President himself is not exempt from the order.

“Lahat ng parte ng Ehekutibo ay ready for lifestyle check. Pati po ang Pangulo (All members of the Executive are ready for lifestyle check, even the President),” she said on Friday, Aug. 29.

The Palace earlier said that the checks will cover DPWH officials allegedly linked to substandard and overpriced flood control projects, but the scope now includes all executive officials.

Lawmakers have since pressed for broader transparency, including a call from Senator Risa Hontiveros for President Marcos to make public his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

Castro, however, cautioned against shifting the conversation.

“Ang issue po ngayon ay tuligsain at habulin ang mga involved sa flood control projects. So, ‘wag po natin ibahin at ‘wag tayong medyo mamulitika patungkol dito (The issue now is to go after those involved in the flood control projects. Let’s not divert and politicize the matter),” she said.

Still, she acknowledged that SALN disclosures are inherently part of a lifestyle check.

“Kasama po sa lifestyle check. Pagka po nagkaroon ng lifestyle check, mauna o mahuli man ang Pangulo, kasama po ‘yan (It is included in the lifestyle check. Once there is one, whether the President comes first or last, it is part of it),” she said.

Meanwhile, Castro reiterated that the Ombudsman, as an independent constitutional body, may carry out similar investigations.

“Nabanggit po natin ang Ombudsman dahil sila po ay may karapatan at may (We mentioned the Ombudsman because they have) authority to initiate investigations on this matter,” she explained.

“Ngunit ang Ombudsman po ay isang independent constitutional body at kung anuman po ang kanilang magiging proseso or mechanics… nasa Ombudsman na po ‘yan (But since they are independent, it is up to them to decide on the process or mechanics),” she added.

When asked if Marcos’ desire had already been communicated to the newly named Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas, Castro said she would confirm the latest discussions and provide updates when available.

The President’s order for lifestyle checks came following his recent visit to Benguet, where he slammed the collapse of a P260-million rockshed project and alleged corruption in slope protection and flood control infrastructure.

Marcos has since ordered a government-wide probe to identify those behind what he called “economic sabotage,” saying projects intended to mitigate floods had instead caused physical damage and economic losses to communities.

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) said it is also prepared to undergo a lifestyle check, whether or not it is ordered by the President.

“As we have always been. The Office of the Vice President is very much mindful of the provision in the Constitution that we are all public servants, public office is a public trust, and we're all supposed to live modest lives,” OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo told reporters on Friday.

Asked if Vice President Sara Duterte is willing to make public her SALN, Castelo said there are existing procedures for public access.

“Meron naman pong procedure para diyan (There is a procedure for that),” she said.

“We, civil servants, are just asked to submit it to the appropriate office. Doon po sila magre-request if they want (Requests for access must go through that channel),” she added.