Palace on lifestyle checks: We note the call

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday took notice of calls to conduct lifestyle checks on all government officials implicated in the pork barrel scam including allies of the administration.

At a televised press briefing, Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Aquino administration has "consistently advocated" openness, transparency and accountability of public officials.

"We note the call for a lifestyle check of public officials as well as the call for the opening of bank deposits," Coloma said.

But Coloma said there are requirements under existing laws such as the Anti-Graft Law and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Government Officials and Employees before the lifestyle checks can be lawfully conducted.

"This is in line with the Constitution's guarantee to due process of law," Coloma said.

There have also been calls for the resignation of Cabinet secretaries who allegedly dealt with suspected pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. But Coloma said the allegations against the officials should not affect their work.

"The President reiterates that mere allegation does not affect the presumption of regularity in the performance of their current duties," Coloma said.

Coloma added that the Cabinet officials are innocent until proven guilty and that the government remains committed to pursue an evidence-based inquiry.

The Palace official also reiterated Aquino's recent statement that there are certain quarters people who are muddling the issue and trying to "burn the house down" by linking more officials to the scam.

Budget Secretary Butch Abad and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala are close allies of Aquino who have been named in the various lists of officials involved in the scam.