Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the Office of the Ombudsman to proactively
conduct lifestyle checks on public officials, emphasizing the role of such checks as a
deterrent to corruption.
Cayetano raised the proposal during his line of inquiry to candidates vying to
become the next Ombudsman in interviews conducted by the Judicial and Bar
Council (JBC) from August 28 to September 2, 2025.
Cayetano serves as the Senateโs representative to the JBC in his capacity as Chair
of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
โIโd really like for you to consider lifestyle checks. Kasi kung wala, thereโs no
deterrent,โ Cayetano told one interviewee.
He explained that lifestyle checks help verify whether a public officialโs actual lifestyle
aligns with the declared net worth and asset accumulation in the officialโs Statement
of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
โNgayon sa social media, kapag nakita sa SALN mo na meron kang P5 million, but
because all of that were acquired in the 1970s to 80s, and you have a car or watch,
they automatically think youโre corrupt. On the other hand, if you say no to lifestyle
checks, many will be flaunting their wealth,โ he said.
Cayetano underscored the need for public servants to live simply and avoid
ostentatious displays of wealth. He said this in the context of alleged corruption
issues in flood control and ghost projects.
He also reiterated the importance of selecting a morally upright and proactive
Ombudsman to lead the countryโs anti-corruption efforts.
โNapakahalaga na tama ang mapili nating Ombudsman. Given yโung nangyayari
ngayon sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), given yโung
perennial na nangyayari sa ibaโt ibang departamento, having a very proactive but
balanced Ombudsman will really change so much,โ he said.
Cayetano emphasized that the choice of the next Ombudsman is crucial in restoring
public trust in government institutions.
โI think who the next Ombudsman is will determine whether people will totally lose
confidence in any government official,โ he said.
โIf we have a good Ombudsman, I really believe na pwedeng bumalik ang tiwala ng
tao sa public officials,โ he added.
