Government Agencies for Lifestyle Checks

Learn about the key government agencies responsible for conducting lifestyle checks and pursuing graft and corruption cases in the Philippines.

Agencies Conducting Lifestyle Checks

Office of the Ombudsman

Primary Anti-Corruption Agency

The primary agency responsible for investigating complaints against government officials and conducting lifestyle checks. Has the power to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate administrative and criminal cases involving graft and corruption.

Key Functions:
  • SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth) verification
  • Investigation of unexplained wealth
  • Administrative and criminal prosecution
  • Asset forfeiture proceedings

Commission on Audit (COA)

Government Auditing Body

Responsible for auditing government accounts and examining how public funds are used. COA audits can reveal discrepancies that lead to lifestyle check investigations.

Key Functions:
  • Financial auditing of government agencies
  • Review of government expenditures and transactions
  • Detection of irregular financial activities
  • Referral of suspicious activities to appropriate agencies

Civil Service Commission (CSC)

Civil Service Oversight

Oversees the civil service system and has authority to investigate and discipline government employees for violations of civil service laws and regulations.

Key Functions:
  • Administrative investigation of civil servants
  • Enforcement of civil service laws
  • Disciplinary actions against government employees
  • Coordination with other agencies on lifestyle checks

Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC)

Financial Intelligence Unit

Investigates money laundering activities and can freeze bank accounts suspected of containing proceeds of unlawful activities, including corruption.

Key Functions:
  • Bank inquiry and account freezing
  • Investigation of suspicious financial transactions
  • Asset preservation and forfeiture
  • Coordination with law enforcement agencies

Agencies Filing Graft and Corruption Cases

Office of the Ombudsman

Special Prosecutor

Has exclusive jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute criminal cases involving public officials with Salary Grade 27 and above, including plunder and graft cases.

Prosecution Powers:
  • Plunder cases (RA 7080)
  • Graft and corruption (RA 3019)
  • Malversation and other crimes
  • Forfeiture of unlawfully acquired assets

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Chief Legal Officer

Prosecutes corruption cases involving lower-ranking officials and coordinates with other agencies in major corruption investigations.

Key Functions:
  • Prosecution of lower-ranking officials
  • Inter-agency coordination
  • Legal assistance and guidance
  • Task force formations for major cases

Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)

Presidential Advisory Body

Directly assists the President in investigating and prosecuting graft and corruption cases, with focus on high-profile and systemic corruption.

Key Functions:
  • Investigation of corruption complaints
  • Case build-up and evidence gathering
  • Coordination with prosecutorial agencies
  • Policy recommendations on anti-corruption

Sandiganbayan

Special Anti-Graft Court

Special court with exclusive jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corruption by public officials with Salary Grade 27 and above.

Jurisdiction:
  • Graft and corruption cases
  • Plunder cases
  • Civil recovery of ill-gotten wealth
  • Forfeiture proceedings

How to Report to Government Agencies

Contact Information

Ombudsman Hotline: 8-GRAFT (8-472-38)
Ombudsman Email: info@ombudsman.gov.ph
PACC Hotline: (02) 8564-4362
DOJ Action Center: 523-9518 to 20

Online Platforms

• Ombudsman Online Complaint System
• PACC Online Reporting Portal
• COA Citizen Participatory Audit
• CSC Online Complaint System

You can also use LifeStyleChecks to document and report suspicious wealth and lifestyle inconsistencies.

Legal Framework

RA 3019

Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act

RA 7080

Plunder Law

RA 1379

Forfeiture of Unlawfully Acquired Property