Sen. Migz Zubiri Speaks on Disclosure of SALN amid Marcos Jr.’s “Lifestyle Check” Order among Gov’t Officials
MIGZ ZUBIRI – The Senate Minority Bloc Member Senator spoke on the release of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) amid the “lifestyle check” order of President Bongbong Marcos.
The current controversy surrounding several ‘ghost’ and substandard flood control projects in the government has greatly disappointed Pres. Bongbong Marcos. In Bulacan, Marcos Jr. found an incomplete flood control project made with substandard materials.
Also in Bulacan, Pres. Bongbong Marcos was left “angry” by the over P55-million ‘ghost’ Riverwall that was reportedly fully-paid by the government already. The Chief Executive personally visited the area but found that there was no structure or, at least, a an ongoing construction.
According to the President, the country has already spent over P500 billion for the flood control projects of the government from July 2022 to May 2025. He stressed that it is an “enormous” amount.
In a press conference, Pres. Bongbong Marcos flagged 15 contractors. According to the President, the following firms were awarded with 20% of the total P545-billion worth flood control projects of the government:
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
- Sunwest, Inc.
- Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- Wawao Builders
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee launched its own probe on the anomalous flood control projects in the country. It invited the people behind the contractors cited by the President. Amid the investigation, Pres. Bongbong Marcos called for a “lifestyle check” among the government officials.
Based on the “lifestyle check” order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos among the government officials, it will start with the officials of the DPWH or the Department of Public Works and Highways. Amid the issue, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan has resigned from his post.
Several government officials backed the order of the President. Malacañang announced that Pres. Bongbong Marcos is ready for a “lifestyle check” and the disclosure of his SALN if necessary. The Palace stressed that all the officials of the executive department are ready.
The statement of Malacañang came after Senator Risa Hontiveros said that it would be a good example if the President will disclose his SALN. However, her fellow Senate Minority Bloc member, Sen. Migz Zubiri, issued a warning on the disclosure of SALNs.
Sen. Migz Zubiri clarified that he is all for transparency and he backs the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos for a “lifestyle check” among the government officials. However, he hopes that the SALN will not be used against the public officials.
“The SALN is a public document, we submit it to the Ombudsman, we also submit it to our agencies of government. Pero I just want to caution na ‘wag sanang gamitin ang SALN as a weapon against politicians,” Zubiri said.
According to Sen. Migz Zubiri, some public officials most especially in the local level allegedly have no idea how to properly prepare their SALN. He claims that there are cases before the Ombudsman filed by the political opponents of these officials.
“We can release our SALN, especially if we have nothing to hide. But at the same time, let’s also be wary of people using it to weaponize and use it against these politicians pagdating sa halalan dahil may mga kaso na po sila sa Ombudsman,” the Senator said.
Sen. Migz Zubiri said the “lifestyle check” must include both the elected and appointed government officials. Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also expressed her side on the “lifestyle check” order of Marcos Jr. among the public officials.