First Family has always been open for lifestyle check—Palace
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and their three sons—Sandro, Simon, and Vincent (Photo courtesy of President Marcos)
The First Family has always been open for the conduct of lifestyle check, even before, a Palace official said.
"Open po, even before," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Tuesday, Dec. 2, when asked if President Marcos and his family, including his sons are open for possible lifestyle check amid allegations of corruption.
"Nandiyan na po iyan. Wala namang pinagbabawal sa lifestyle check, kahit sino po (It has always been there. No one is barred from lifestyle check, anyone can be included)," Castro also said.
According to a report of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the President's son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos had the highest shares of "allocable" funds.
Castro said the President has read the report and is confident that his son knows what he is doing.
"Alam naman po ng Pangulo na alam ni Congressman Sandro Marcos ang kanyang ginagawa at alam niya po kung paano ito sa sagutin (The President knows that Congressman Sandro Marcos knows what he is doing, and he knows how to answer to this)," the Palace official said.
Castro also said that she cannot speak on behalf of the younger Marcos but stated that he will face whatever issue thrown at him, adding that he will submit himself to investigation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
"But as of now, I cannot speak for and in behalf of Congressman Sandro Marcos. At sabi naman po niya, siya po ang nagboluntaryo, kung anuman po ang issue sa kaniya, siya mismo ang pupunta sa ICI para maimbestigahan po siya. Bigyan lamang po siya ng date para po magkaroon ng tamang schedule (And he said he volunteered, whatever the issue, he will personally go to the ICI to submit himself to investigation. Just give him the date)," Castro said.
The ICI announced on Tuesday that the presidential son will appear as resource person in the commission's hearings this week.