Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has ordered lifestyle checks on government officials as part of a sweeping review of flood control projects mired in allegations of corruption, but analysts warn the move risks being more symbolic than systemic.
Presidential press officer Claire Castro confirmed the directive at a briefing on Wednesday, saying the checks would cover the entire executive branch, starting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which oversees infrastructure projects.
“We cannot deny the fact that there are DPWH officials who are involved, and we should start the lifestyle checks with them,” she said.
The Philippines has spent 545 billion pesos (US$9.5 billion) on flood management since 2022, with 20 per cent of the budget for flood control projects awarded to only 15 contractors across the country, according to a preliminary probe conducted earlier this month.
Despite this, several provinces, including Metro Manila, were submerged in deep flooding in July, with over a month’s worth of rainfall recorded in the capital region in just four days.
Last week, Marcos expressed his “anger” over failed flood control projects in the country, and warned of “economic sabotage” charges against “big” offenders involved in these corrupt practices.
