All in gov’t ought to bear way of life test

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri mentioned on Friday that each one officers within the authorities, together with senators, ought to bear a life-style test.

Zubiri mentioned this when requested in a web-based interview on Friday in regards to the current order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for your entire govt department to go for a life-style test as a part of a widening scrutiny of flood management initiatives.

READ: Marcos, govt department officers prepared to bear way of life test

“Lifestyle checks should be for everyone, both appointed and elected, because we are not exempt from these lifestyle checks,” Zubiri advised reporters.

“There are politicians who have no [other] income, other than their income from being a politician, and you see them driving a Rolls-Royce, a Ferrari. Where do they get these expensive cars?” he added.

The senator identified that politicians’ possessions ought to match their Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), tax funds, and earnings generated from different sources.

Watching the watchers

In the identical interview, Zubiri mentioned that there must be a “third-party” company, which would come with civil society, that might oversee authorities officers.

“We also have civil society involved. I think these are things that we have to take into consideration because what if you have a colleague there who will be hit?” Zubiri mentioned.

Having mentioned this, the senator likewise emphasised that even the BIR and Bureau of Customs ought to bear way of life checks.

READ: Marcos orders way of life checks, begins with DPWH

“The BIR, the Bureau of Customs — those agencies are also notorious in the past for having this type of lifestyle. So I think the lifestyle check should be done for all of them,” Zubiri mentioned.

“That’s why we need civil society participation so that someone watches over the watchers,” he added. /das