Former IBP Official Urges Mandatory Lifestyle Checks for Public Officials to Promote Integrity

A former officer of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Atty. Antonio Ligon, has called for mandatory lifestyle checks and strict enforcement of a simple and modest living standard for all public officials. Ligon, who also serves as a professor at De La Salle University, emphasized that the blatant extravagance displayed by some officials contradicts the Constitution's call for integrity and weakens anti-corruption efforts.

"Public office is a public trust, and all government officials should lead modest lives," Ligon stated during his appearance on the Abogado program of the Bilyonaryo News Channel. He pointed out that many officials today live lavishly rather than modestly, which sets a troubling example for the public.

Highlighting the negative impact of ostentatious lifestyles, Ligon remarked that seeing officials in luxury vehicles and grand homes "confuses the public and normalizes a standard that should be considered suspicious." He further noted that even those from affluent backgrounds should embrace sacrifice when entering public service.

Failure to maintain modest living, Ligon warned, inevitably raises suspicions of corruption. "The basis of transparency in the Constitution is that the money is coming from the people, and you are being paid by the people. So therefore, you should set an example. And if you don't abide by that provision, there's a suspicion that you're into corruption," he explained.

Ligon also advocated for non-selective, compulsory lifestyle checks to enhance transparency. Although current regulations mandate disclosure, enforcement remains weak. He stressed that corruption controversies would diminish significantly if officials were subject to automatic and consistent transparency requirements.

Additionally, Ligon underscored the importance of making the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) publicly accessible, stating, "The issue of SALNs… should not be an issue. It should be automatic. It should be a given, accessible to the public."