Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has called on the Office of the Ombudsman to revive and strengthen lifestyle checks on public officials, asserting that such measures are essential to curbing corruption and restoring public trust in government institutions.

The senator made the appeal during the Judicial and Bar Council’s (JBC) public interviews for Ombudsman candidates held from August 28 to September 2, 2025. Cayetano, who sits on the JBC as the Senate’s representative and chairs the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, used the platform to underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in public service.

“I’d really like for you to consider lifestyle checks. Kasi kung wala, there’s no deterrent,” Cayetano told one of the applicants, stressing that the absence of such scrutiny allows officials to flaunt unexplained wealth without consequence.

He explained that lifestyle checks serve as a critical tool to verify whether a public servant’s standard of living matches the assets declared in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). With social media amplifying public perception, Cayetano warned that discrepancies between declared wealth and visible luxury can fuel suspicions of corruption.

“Ngayon sa social media, kapag nakita sa SALN mo na meron kang P5 million, but because all of that were acquired in the 1970s to 80s, and you have a car or watch, they automatically think you’re corrupt,” he said. “On the other hand, if you say no to lifestyle checks, many will be flaunting their wealth.”

Cayetano also linked the need for lifestyle checks to ongoing concerns over alleged ghost projects and irregularities in flood control initiatives, particularly within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He emphasized that a proactive and morally upright Ombudsman could play a transformative role in addressing these issues.

“Napakahalaga na tama ang mapili nating Ombudsman,” he said. “Given y’ung nangyayari ngayon sa DPWH, given y’ung perennial na nangyayari sa iba’t ibang departamento, having a very proactive but balanced Ombudsman will really change so much.”

The senator concluded by highlighting the broader implications of the appointment, noting that the credibility of the next Ombudsman could either erode or rebuild public confidence in government.

“I think who the next Ombudsman is will determine whether people will totally lose confidence in any government official,” Cayetano said. “If we have a good Ombudsman, I really believe na pwedeng bumalik ang tiwala ng tao sa public officials.”

The JBC is expected to submit its shortlist of nominees to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who will appoint the next Ombudsman to serve until 2032.