As the probes into the corruption in the country, triggered by revelations of ghost and poor quality flood control projects, has triggered an avalanche of other related issues, public officials and favored government contractors have faced growing pressure to be more transparent with their finances and lifestyles.
Not exempt is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., being the leader of the nation who also comes with the baggage of being the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who has a place in the country’s history as being among the its most corrupt leaders, having amassed an estimated $10 billion in ill-gotten wealth, with the government having actually recovered only $3.6 billion since 1986, when his family was unceremoniously removed from power by the People Power Revolution.
Keenly aware of the black mark on the family name, Marcos Jr. has distanced himself from his family’s ill-gotten wealth, particularly after assuming the presidency. However, as a good son, there is also the desire to rehabilitate their reputation, which could theoretically be achieved if he does a good job in his current role as president.
Several groups have challenged Marcos Jr. to lead by example amid this anti-corruption crusade.
According to a recent statement from Malacañang, PBBM is ready for a lifestyle check, which includes the release of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). Marcos had previously ordered lifestyle checks on government officials in a bid to eliminate corruption in the government.
In a country where recent administrations have been fine with pretending that corruption does not exist, even to the point where the Ombudsman is the one limiting the public’s access to the supposedly public document that is the SALN, which is supposed to promote transparency and prevent corruption among public officials, this willingness to release the president’s SALN and participate in a lifestyle check gives hope that transparency and accountability is still possible for public officials.
With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. taking the lead, the rest of the executive branch should follow, which will hopefully pressure the legislative branch, and maybe even the judiciary. Even the private sector, particularly the government contractors, should also follow suit.
When it comes to lifestyle checks and increased scrutiny of SALNs, those who have nothing to hide should have nothing to fear.*
