Palace backs SALN information drive

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang expressed support yesterday to the proposal of Sen. Ralph Recto for the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to conduct a nationwide education campaign in all government offices for the proper filing of new statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

“That’s a good proposal from Senator Recto. In fact, we have received a memorandum from the Civil Service Commission about the new SALN form and there is a small guide on how to fill it up,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB.

Valte said she had seen a copy of a memorandum issued by CSC chairman Francisco Duque last week discussing the new format and a guide in filling out the SALN.

The filing of SALN by government officials has turned into a major concern after President Aquino’s congressional allies filed an impeachment case against Chief Justice Renato Corona for non-filing of his SALN as well as other charges.

The prosecution panel filed eight articles of impeachment against Corona, zeroing in on Article 2 for non-disclosure of his SALN.

Under the Constitution, constitutional officers like a justice or the chief justice of the Supreme Court could be removed from office through impeachment for culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust. 

In the ongoing impeachment trial, the prosecution panel said Corona undervalued numerous real estate properties in his SALN.

They argued that Corona’s inaccurate declaration in his SALN was a violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.