Governor Supports Lifestyle Check of Officials
COTABATO CITY — A Mindanao provincial governor has voiced strong support for calls to conduct a lifestyle check of all government officials amid ongoing investigations into questionable flood control projects nationwide. Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat expressed his stance clearly on social media, emphasizing the importance of transparency among public servants.
“I fully support lifestyle checks and I’m willing to be checked first,” the 27-year-old leader declared. He urged that priority be given to mayors of the poorest towns, noting the suspicious wealth accumulation despite persistent municipal poverty.
Prioritizing Mayors of Poor Towns
According to local leaders, Gov. Mangudadatu highlighted the paradox where some mayors from impoverished areas become the richest individuals within their provinces. “It’s questionable when their municipalities remain poor while they themselves become the richest in the province,” he said, drawing from his experience as a former mayor of Datu Abdullah Sangki in Maguindanao del Sur from 2019 to 2022.
Community members noted that this wealth disparity raises concerns about possible corruption and misuse of public funds, especially in towns struggling to develop basic services and infrastructure.
Allegations of Gambling and Debt Among Officials
Gov. Mangudadatu recounted a specific case involving a town mayor known for a gambling habit, frequently visiting casinos in Metro Manila. “When the mayor loses heavily, he availed of loans from loan sharks,” he revealed. “Loan firms are running after him now,” officials reported.
This example underscores the need for comprehensive lifestyle checks to ensure public officials’ integrity and accountability.
Calls for Transparency Amid Flood Project Investigations
Officials reported that the call for lifestyle checks comes amid investigations into anomalous flood control projects across the country. The scrutiny aims to uncover possible corruption and ensure that public funds are used appropriately for community benefit.
Gov. Mangudadatu’s openness to undergo a lifestyle check himself sets a precedent for other government officials to follow, reinforcing the push for transparency and good governance in the region.
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