Ombudsman: 107 Government Execs On Lifestyle Checks

The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting lifestyle checks on 107 government officials, particularly those in “income-generating” agencies such as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Wednesday, Aug. 26, that more officials may be subjected to the checks based on information his office is gathering.

“We have been actively pursuing information on the people in (the Bureau of) Customs, in LTO and other income-generating agencies of the government, because this is where most of the lifestyle sins happen,” Remulla said during deliberations on the ombudsman’s proposed 2027 budget before the House committee on appropriations.

The move came after President Marcos ordered lifestyle checks on all government officials following the emergence of the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.

Remulla’s predecessor, Samuel Martires, stopped the conduct of lifestyle checks, citing supposedly “vague” and “illogical” provisions in the law that establishes the code of conduct and ethical standards for government employees and officials.

Under Republic Act No. 6713, public officials and employees and their families “shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income” and “should not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious displays of wealth in any form.”

Shortage of auditors

The Commission on Audit, meanwhile, has admitted that its shortage of field auditors is a “cause for concern” amid ongoing investigations into the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal.

COA assistant commissioner Lorna Cabochan made the admission during the agency’s 2027 budget deliberations before the House committee on appropriations, where lawmakers raised questions about its capability to monitor government projects.

“It is a cause for concern. Because the agencies are adding and at present, we still lack auditors in the field,” Cabochan said.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña questioned whether the commission’s manpower gap had already been addressed.

He pointed out that its report last year showed only two auditors assigned to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ first district engineering office of Bulacan, which has been at the center of the flood control corruption scandal.

Although 332 personnel were restored by the Department of Budget and Management in July, Cabochan said the commission still needs “almost 400” positions after removing 716 from the COA plantilla.

She also explained that the shortage stems from auditors leaving the agency for higher-paying jobs, closer proximity to their residences and more flexible work arrangements. Some have transferred to other government agencies or opted for retirement at age 60.

Cendaña described the commission’s current manpower situation as “alarming,” warning that the continuing shortage could affect the government’s planned infrastructure spending, particularly flood control projects.

“If the audit fails again, or if there are not enough auditors and the audit is slow, we will have a repeat performance of 2025,” he warned.

COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba disclosed that the auditing body needs nearly P2.5 billion to establish 146 additional pre-audit teams composed of audit, technical and administrative personnel.

The proposed investment could strengthen the COA’s ability to detect irregularities before government funds are fully disbursed, he said.