Former Mandaue City treasurer Regal Oliva is speaking out against a lifestyle check being conducted on her. She claims it’s not about financial integrity but rather a tactic for political harassment as she campaigns for a congressional seat with Team Mandaue, led by ex-mayor Jonas Cortes.
During a press conference, Oliva shared that she feels she was targeted first for scrutiny. After she registered her candidacy, other government offices in Cebu, like those in Liloan and Cebu City, also received investigation letters. She speculated that the Department of Finance might have sped up her own lifestyle check.
A lifestyle check is typically a routine examination meant to ensure that a public official’s wealth matches their declared income. It aims to reduce corruption and illicit gains.
Oliva suggests these investigations are less about truth and more about discrediting her. She argued that such checks are weaponized against political adversaries viewed as threats by the opposing camp. “They are trying to single out all their opponents, not through elections, but through harassment and persecution,” she asserted. She mentioned that other candidates from her political side, including Cortes and Mayor Glenn Bercede, are also facing similar pressures.
So far, she has not received any updates on the investigation’s status. Oliva questioned the timing of these lifestyle checks and whether they are part of a broader strategy to intimidate officials aligned with her camp.
Despite the obstacles, Oliva remains committed to her candidacy. She refuses to let what she calls “political persecution” stop her.
As of now, the specifics of the lifestyle check and the reasons behind these probes are unclear. There’s a lot of uncertainty, but Oliva’s determination is evident.
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