Gov't workers told to file their SALNs

CEBU, Philippines - The Civil Service Commission-7 has once again reminded government workers to prepare and file their sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth on or before the deadline set on April 30.

Stated under Section 8 of Republic Act 6713, “all public officials and employees, except those who serve in an honorary capacity, laborers and casual or temporary workers, shall file under oath their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and a Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial Connections, and those of their spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.

At least 66 participants from the various national government agencies, local government units, government-owned and controlled-corporations and the academe in Central Visayas underwent a two-day seminar on Public Service Ethics and Accountability and revised SALN at the Civil Service Commission-7 Regional Office.

The seminar was conducted by the CSC and Cebu Council of Administrative and Personnel Officers in Central Visayas.

CSC-7 assistant regional director Editha Luzano said the purpose of the activity is for the government employees to be oriented on public ethics and accountability.

Luzano also informed that public officials and employee are required to declare their assets; real, personal, and other properties, liabilities such as loans, mortgages and the like, all business interests and financial connections, including identification of relatives in the government service.

The said document must be filed within 30 days after assumption of office for the new employee, and before April 30 of every year thereafter, and within 30 days after separation from the service.

The CSC recently issued CSC Memorandum Circular No. 5 series of 2012 to all heads of department, bureaus, offices and agencies of the national and local governments to include state universities and colleges and government-owned and controlled corporation regarding the deferment of the use of revised form of SALN and advise to use the 1994 SALN Form rather, for the year 2011.

However, according to the CSC, those who have already filed their SALN using the new form, are deemed to have complied with the requirement to disclose their assets and liabilities. (FREEMAN)