President Marcos’ statement that he will order a Lifestyle Check of all government officials comes as a breathe of fresh air in a country where corruption had crept into almost every fabric of society.
A Lifestyle Check, in fact, need not be ordered by the President.
It should be part of the standards of transparency and accountability in public service which when confronted with allegations of corruption should be considered as the best defense by public officials.
Late in 2018, shortly after three agencies, including the controversial National Food Authority, were placed under the Department of Agriculture (DA), rumors swirled that I benefitted financially from rice importation deals.
I believed then as I still do today that the media black ops was an offshoot of my public feud with the then powerful head of the Economic Team of the previous administration, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.
It was a rumor which reached the ear of President Rody Duterte and while he did not confront me about it, I felt the need to clear myself from the issues.
Instead of issuing a public statement to defend myself, I opted to meet with the Chairman of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Dante Jimenez (now deceased) and voluntarily submitted myself to a Lifestyle Check.
I gave them the authority to open my bank accounts, track my financial transactions, conduct a background check and even tap my phones.
“I’m all in. Cuentas Claras,” I declared when I opened myself to the probe.
Seven months after I approached Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Dante Jimenez to voluntarily submit myself to a lifestyle check on Dec. 6, 2018, the PACC came up with an En Banc Resolution on June 11, 2019 clearing me of any wrongdoing as Secretary of Agriculture.
Feeling vindicated, I submitted my courtesy resignation as Agriculture Secretary two weeks later which took the President one month to accept but he asked me to stay on as Chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
It was the proudest moment of my life and the PACC En Banc Resolution which cleared me now serves as my shield against any and all insinuations of corruption in public service.
Today, I lay claim to the distinction of being the only Cabinet Secretary in recent memory who voluntarily submitted to a Lifestyle Check to dispel rumors of involvement in corruption.
I cannot claim to be a perfect government worker. I could and may have made wrong decisions. People could even accuse me of incompetence but nobody could question my dedication to my job and my work ethics.
I am a hard worker but I am easily affected by issues casting doubt on my integrity as a public official.
If there is anything I treasure most, it is an untarnished name because that name will be carried on by my children and grandchildren.
This is a gift to my children and grandchildren, Duane and Kristoff, my family, my friends and people who loved and supported me.
I wonder how many officials of government would be willing to submit themselves to a thorough lifestyle check to reassure our people that just life Caesar’s Wife, government men should be beyond reproach..
