Manila: The First Family is open to undergoing a lifestyle check, Malaca±ang stated as it addressed queries raised in an investigative report regarding the distribution of ‘allocable’ infrastructure funds. The report highlighted Ilocos Norte, the political stronghold of the Marcos family, currently represented by presidential son Ferdinand Alexander ‘Sandro’ Marcos in Congress, as one of the top recipients.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reviewed the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report. The report alleged that Sandro Marcos’ district received approximately PHP15.8 billion in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocable funds from 2023 to 2025, the highest among the 252 congressional districts.

Castro assured that the President has faith in his son’s ability to address the issue. “Alam naman po ng Pangulo na alam ni Congressman Sandro Marcos ang kaniyang ginagawa at alam niya po kung paano ito sasagutin (The President knows Congressman Sandro Marcos understands the process and knows how to answer this),” she remarked.

She further mentioned that Sandro Marcos has volunteered to appear before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is investigating public infrastructure anomalies. “Siya mismo ang pupunta sa ICI. bigyan lamang po siya ng date (He himself will go to the ICI committee; he only needs a schedule),” Castro stated.

The PCIJ report analyzed how nearly PHP1.2 trillion in DPWH ‘allocable’ funds were distributed using a budgeting mechanism informally known as the ‘BBM Parametric Formula’. The formula led to significant discrepancies among districts, with some densely populated areas receiving considerably less funding than smaller districts. Additionally, several lawmakers aligned with former President Duterte reportedly received zero allocables in the 2025 budget.

When questioned about the possibility of a lifestyle check on the presidential son or the First Family, Castro indicated that Malaca±ang does not oppose such measures. “Nandiyan na po iyan. Wala namang pinagbabawal sa lifestyle check, kahit sino po (That option has always been there. No one is barred from undergoing a lifestyle check),” she explained. She further emphasized their openness to the procedure: “Open po, even before (They have always been open to it).”

The PCIJ report also highlighted ongoing concerns about the alleged politicization of infrastructure funding. Both ‘allocable’ and ‘non-allocable’ DPWH projects have historically been susceptible to manipulations, uneven distribution, and audit discrepancies.

The report surfaced as the administration addressed anomalies in infrastructure spending, particularly concerning flood control projects. These issues were initially exposed by the President during his State of the Nation Address last July.