Lawmakers ready to bare SALN after Ombudsman order on public access
Metro Manila, Philippines - Senators and House representatives are ready to show their statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) following the Ombudsman order for its public access.
Lawmakers supported Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s memorandum, overturning the order of his predecessor Samuel Martires, who limited public access to government officials’ SALN.
Assuring preparedness to release his SALN, Senate President Tito Sotto said the upper chamber is likely to have a caucus on the Ombudsman memorandum.
“When [I] was SP (Senate President) before, we allowed the access to the SALNs of the senators subject to their individual approval and so this is not new to us. The only variation is we redact the addresses of their properties,” Sotto said.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan suggested checking Martires’ SALN.
“Doon sila mag umpisa kasi syempre tinago bakit kaya? Baka sakaling malaman natin ano yung dahilan bakit hinigpit. But anyway of course, that’s up to the current ombudsman to decide,” he said.
[Translation: They should start there because why did he limit the access? We might find the answers.]
Other legislators in the Senate lauded the new memorandum which, they said, would improve transparency especially amid the implication of some government officials in the corruption in flood control projects.
Senator Joel Villanueva, who has denied accusations linking him to the flood control mess, said the order will help the government combat corruption.
“Access to public documents, such as the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), promotes greater openness and strengthens the mechanisms for accountability among public officials,” he said.
“This is timely as the public is longing for transparency in the wake of the floodgate scandals that rocked the government,” Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito said.
“This is one way of bringing the confidence of the public back to government... Yung mga public servants natin, alam natin kung ano yung kanilang ari-arian, tugma ba ito sa kanilang kinikita,” Senator Win Gatchalian said.
[Translation: We can see if public servants’ income match the properties they own.]
“Magandang hakbang ito para masimulan na ang paglilinis ng ating gobyerno,” Senator Bam Aquino said. “Sana nga isa ito sa mga unang hakbang patungo sa hinahanap ng taumbayan na mas malinis na gobyerno sa ating bansa.”
[Translation: This is a good step to start clearing our government. I hope this is just one of the many steps towards a clean government that the public is looking for.]
“Ngayon na maglabasan ng SALN, tanggapin ng Senado ang hamon ng bagong ombudsman! Unahin niyo na po ilabas yun sa akin!” Senator Robin Padilla stated.
[Translation: Let us release our SALNs. The Senate should accept the new ombudsman’s order! Prioritize releasing mine!]
House to discuss release guidelines
Meanwhile, House Speaker Bojie Dy said they will review the SALN disclosure rules during their session break.
“Pag-uusapan naming mabuti para makapaglabas kami [ng malinaw na patakaran kung paano namin ipapakita] ang suporta sa paglalabas ng aming mga SALN,” he said in a radio interview.
[Translation: We will discuss thoroughly so we could issue clear guidelines on how we will show our support to the SALN release.]
READ: Speaker Dy willing to release SALN to regain public trust
House opposition lawmakers also supported the memorandum.
“This carries out clearly the Ombudsman’s mandate as the anti-corruption champion—to protect the public interest and to promote the common good—not the personal interests of the powers that be,” House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima stated.
“We, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, believe that the Office of the Ombudsman's decision to lift the restrictions on public access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of public officials is long overdue and is much needed now, especially as questions of wealth and corruption continue to plague the government,” said ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Kabataan Rep. Renee Co, and Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago.
The repository of the SALN of senators and House representatives are with their respective secretariats, where the public may request for copies.
NewsWatch Plus senior correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
