Prior to the exposure of the billion-peso corruption scandal tied to ghost and flood control projects, legislators and contractors, including their families, frequently showcased lavish lifestyles on social media. Their posts flaunted luxury cars, expensive dining, branded accessories, and overseas shopping trips, seemingly without concern for public perception.

However, following President BBM's recent State of the Nation Address, which highlighted widespread corruption within these projects, a palpable sense of fear has taken hold. Despite this, some individuals remained unbothered, continuing to post about their affluent lives.

The shift became evident when the Senate's Blue Ribbon Committee, led by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, commenced formal investigations. Anxiety grew especially after several relatives of implicated contractors went viral for flaunting costly possessions and indulgent habits.

In response, many hastily deleted or deactivated their social media accounts to avoid their online activity being used as evidence. A notable example was the sudden removal of photos depicting a politician enveloped in thousands of banknotes, which drew significant public outrage, given that the official is currently facing serious legal charges.

Widespread apprehension exists that the probe will extend beyond the initially named 15 contractors. Smaller contractors also fear scrutiny, as most have connections to the fraudulent projects. Agencies such as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Bureau of Immigration have signaled their willingness to contribute data, including possible political donations linked to the scandal.

Due to the magnitude of the alleged corruption and the potential number of involved parties, the investigation is expected to be prolonged and may become a pivotal issue in the 2028 elections. Candidates entangled in this scandal could face administrative and criminal charges and might be compelled to return ill-gotten gains.

If lifestyle audits extend to the politicians and their families, many are likely to face difficult questions regarding their wealth accumulation, with public suspicion mounting over unexplained affluence potentially sourced from corruption.