SC: No hiding of justices’ SALNs

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) will release tomorrow a list of those who have obtained copies of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of justices to dispute allegations over their lack of transparency.

“Contrary to what has been reported, the SC justices have not only been complying with the requirements on the SALN but have made these available upon compliance with the reasonable administrative requirements imposed by the Court,” SC spokesman Theodore Te said yesterday.

He said even members of media and civil society were able to get copies of the justices’ SALNs, and their contents have been reported.

The SC earlier denied the request of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for copies of the justices’ SALN.

The high court rejected the request of the BIR on the ground in a resolution dated June 17 for “lack of sufficient basis.”

President Aquino had also called on the SC justices to be more transparent with their SALNs and even on the use of the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF).

In an exclusive interview with TV5 early this week, Aquino said he did not want to have a constitutional crisis even after the SC declared parts of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional.

He said the Constitution requires government personnel from the president, vice president, SC justices, heads of constitutional commissions and even officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to file their SALNs.

House probe

Meanwhile, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Malacañang respects the decision of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno not to attend the congressional inquiry into the P1.77-billion JDF.

But Valte, in an interview over dzRB yesterday, said questions on the JDF could not be avoided, especially during this budget season.

She said all other departments and agencies would have to face grilling over their respective budget allocations.

Sereno told Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. the SC would not cooperate in the investigation pending resolution of the motions to reconsider its decision that declared unconstitutional the Priority Development Assistance Fund and several acts under the DAP.

She also asked the House to refrain from involving a member, official or employee of the judiciary in the committee on justice hearing on House Bills 4690 and 4738 regarding the JDF.

HB 4738 seeks to create a Judiciary Support Fund in lieu of the JDF while HB 4690 reforms the administration of the JDF.

Valte said the Office of the Solicitor General has also complied with the orders of the SC with regard to the executive branch’s motion for reconsideration on the DAP.

She said they expect the SC to come up with a favorable decision. – With Aurea Calica