Ombudsman Applicants Back Lifestyle Checks
MANILA, Philippines — Three candidates vying for the Ombudsman post expressed strong support for conducting lifestyle checks on government officials. During the Judicial and Bar Council’s second day of public interviews, they emphasized that lifestyle checks are a fundamental authority of the Ombudsman’s office.
This stance comes amid President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent directive to initiate lifestyle checks, starting with officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This move aims to investigate alleged irregularities in flood-control projects nationwide.
Lifestyle Checks Seen as Essential Anti-Corruption Tool
Former Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares highlighted that lifestyle checks are an “inherent power” of the Ombudsman. She described it as one of the key instruments to fight and prevent corruption within government ranks.
“That’s one of the basic things that an Ombudsman must do, in fact the President himself has already ordered a lifestyle check,” Jacinto-Henares said during an interview with community members.
She further explained that lifestyle checks extend beyond officials to include their families. This allows authorities to cross-examine declared income and tax payments against visible assets.
“Did you file your income tax return? Did you pay your taxes? So here are all your properties, but you only paid P100,000—then that’s not enough, right? That’s tax evasion,” she pointed out.
“Because if the child claims it, then the child is the one guilty of tax evasion. If the parent claims it, then the parent is the one… and aside from tax evasion, they also have illegally obtained wealth,” Jacinto-Henares added.
Evidence-Based Approach to Family Involvement
Human Rights Commissioner Beda Epres echoed support for lifestyle checks but noted that involving officials’ families depends on available evidence. “That would all depend on the evidence we gather… if the illegally acquired wealth was transferred to the children, relatives, or spouse, then they would also be implicated,” he said.
Epres emphasized the importance of determining whether an official’s assets align with their lawful income. “What will be looked at here is whether their assets are commensurate with the salary they receive. What’s important is whether those were acquired through lawful means,” he added.
Both Epres and Jacinto-Henares believe Republic Act 6770 sufficiently empowers the Ombudsman to investigate and recover ill-gotten wealth, thus justifying lifestyle checks.
Legal Clarity on Ombudsman’s Powers Needed
Contrasting views came from Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, who supports lifestyle checks but stressed that the law must explicitly grant this authority to the Ombudsman.
“I am pro-lifestyle check but then the law has to be clear that it is given and granted to the Office of the Ombudsman,” Econg stated.
She also pointed out that lifestyle checks inevitably include family members, as isolating an official from their household is impractical.
“Because you cannot isolate naman a public official and say that this lifestyle check is only up to or just for him,” Econg added.
Econg explained that investigations would substantiate any allegations against relatives, often based on publicly visible lifestyle indicators such as social media.
Revisiting SALN Restrictions
Aside from lifestyle checks, all three candidates expressed willingness to review the current restrictions on the release of Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of public officials.
Jacinto-Henares argued that SALNs are public documents and should be accessible to the public. She clarified that privacy laws protecting sensitive personal information must still be respected, while ensuring full transparency regarding officials’ income sources.
Econg expressed concerns over the current limitations that require an official’s consent for SALN access. “You know, Justice Martires is my colleague for a long time and it’s not that I’m criticizing him. He is right in setting certain limits but I think the limits should also be reasonable to gain access to the SALN,” she said.
“I believe the media should be given the right to access the SALN,” Econg added.
She also proposed that anyone requesting SALN access submit a sworn statement pledging to use the information responsibly and not for political motives.
“So there should be a sworn statement para we can also make you accountable or whoever is requesting it accountable,” she emphasized.
Like Jacinto-Henares, Econg acknowledged that some personal details on SALNs should remain redacted to protect privacy.
Epres committed to revisiting SALN restrictions if appointed Ombudsman, aiming for greater transparency balanced with fairness.
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