Netizens are unanimous in saying that public officials, both elected and appointed, should be subjected to lifestyle checks as some of them have brandished lavish homes, vehicles, gadgets, etc, leading the people to ask how are they able to afford such luxury given their pay as public servants.
This was the result of the random survey of The Bohol Tribune, posted on the Facebook of its Managing Editor, Ardy Araneta-Batoy on Saturday, May 8, 2021. The post, in so short a time, garnered several reactions. As of press time, it has already 127 “LIKE” reactions and at least 47 comments from netizens mostly based in the province.
The compilation of the results of the random survey is published on page 13 in the Opinion section of this paper under the column “Vox Populi”.
The reactions are reflective of the genuine interest of the public to know the real score regarding the lavish lifestyle of some politicians and appointed public officials.
The netizens want to know, whether or not, these public officials are really spending their money within the bounds of law and to the detriment of the Boholanos in particular and the Filipinos in general.
The random survey is an offshoot of a series of reports from sources who requested anonymity. These sources have forwarded to The Bohol Tribune some of their questions: 1) Is the SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth) still in place? 2) How come there are some public officials who can buy expensive things and build mansion-like houses? 3) Is it not abuse of authority to bring some public office equipment/gadjets to the homes of some officials for their private use or for the private use of their close relatives?
All these lead to a question: Are our public officials oblivious of the fact that we are in a health, and inancial crisis (among others) right now and spending luxuriously amidst the sufferings of the financially challenged among our brothers and sisters is a form of arrogance against one’s social conscience?
In fact, the same sources told The Bohol Tribune that there are pieces of equipment which are supposed to be installed in the same unnamed government official’s workplace, but are, instead, found being used by some private persons. Others are even lent to some friends/establishments for the latter’s personal use.
SOME OF THE COMMENTS
In her private capacity, Dr. Rosalinda Paredes commented on the random survey saying, “Simple ra man ang computations ani, BFF – unsay imong trabaho or negosyo, pilay imo kita (maila sa imo report sa BIR – kana ug mo report sa ensakto), then kwentahon ug unsay imo assets and liabilities ug overall lifestyles! Kun daghan ka kaayo ug assets – mga kayutaan, luxurious and expensive cars, palatial homes, family travels abroad not once but many times pre COVID, Hermes & signature bags, jewelries in all fingers, lain pa ng gabitay sa liog ug nag dangle sa ankle, ug uban pa? Nah maka ingon or maka huna huna or maka pangutana jud ta, “diin guikan ning kuartaha?”
Another netizen identified herself as a certain Marlene Estorsas said, “Pwd man tingale [lifestyle check] mam, esp pod ug daghang gideposito sa bangko ky ang AMLAC [Anti-Money Laundering Council] man mangutana sa work, income, investments ug assets and liabilities.”
Meanwhile, another netizen named Dr. Eden Ruth Palgan-Awil said,” Dapat lang. Dili unta kung naa sila kaugalingong delicadeza ug kaikug sa ilang constituents. But no innate ability man. So yes dapat naay outside check and balance.”
As said earlier, go the VOX POPULI section for the complete list of comments re lifestyle check.