Group challenges Marcos to release all SALNs amid corruption exposés

MANILA, Philippines — Long-time advocates of freedom of information are challenging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to swiftly release his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) and order the publication of all his Cabinet members' SALNs. 

Amid a frenzy of exposés on corruption in flood control projects, the Right to Know, Right Now Coalition believes the government must set its eyes on identifying all public officials with financial and business interests in the corruption of public works projects, as citizens "have a right to know the ties that bind." 

"The disclosure of massive corruption and wasteful spending of public funds has triggered a floodgate of questions, accusations, and confusion," the coalition's statement on Thursday, August 27, said.

"Among the major questions are: Who are the big fish and real crooks? And how and why did they manage to skirt the law, and milk taxpayers money by the trillions?" the group said. 

Open the records

The coalition issued six specific challenges to Marcos and government agencies, demanding the immediate release of financial and corporate records spanning from 2021 to present.

The group wants the prompt public release of SALNs from officials and personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Department of Budget and Management. 

DPWH officials from national and regional levels down to district engineers should disclose their assets to complement the flood control project list published by the Office of the President, according to the group.

“The President and his Cabinet should also publish their SALNs to lead by example,” the coalition said, suggesting the Executive’s disclosure be implemented through the existing sumbongsapangulo.ph platform.

The coalition also called out lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives, noting they “are being linked to the projects not only through congressional insertions, but also through relationships with contractors.”

Beyond SALNs, the advocates also demanded a comprehensive corporate disclosure from multiple agencies.

The coalition said the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should release “all relevant documents” from top flood control contractors, including current and recent records of their articles of incorporation, general information sheets, financial statements, and registration documents.

The BIR must disclose which Revenue District Offices and officers signed tax clearance certificates for top public works contractors, as reflected in their Philippine Government Electronic Procurement Service registration.

The group also said the Department of Budget and Management should reveal the registration status and categories of top flood control contractors when they filed for contract bidding.

DPWH accountability measures

The coalition reserved its harshest demands for the DPWH and called for a complete disclosure of its decisions related to the blacklisting of contractors and actions against personnel from 2020 to present.

DPWH must reveal decisions regarding blacklisting contractors with “significant to serious contract slippage” in the last five years, including company names, representatives, contract signatories, and projects undertaken, the statement read.

The group also believes the DPWH must disclose suspension or termination decisions involving personnel—from municipal engineers to undersecretaries—in charge of flood control and foreign-assisted projects found to be anomalous.

Beyond individual projects 

The coalition acknowledged the government’s transparency steps, including the release of flood control projects and contractors and the launch of the citizen-reporting platform through sumbongsapangulo.ph.

But for the coalition, these measures fall short.

“These measures only reveal where public funds are allocated, not whether those in control of these funds are benefiting improperly,” the statement said.

Linking project data with SALN information allows citizens, media, and oversight institutions to connect spending decisions and project implementation with officials’ financial interests, the group explained. 

Exposing corruption

Anomalies in several flood control projects, the group said, show that “serious weaknesses in an otherwise extensive anti-corruption and accountability framework that provides strong safeguards on paper."

The persistence of corruption despite existing mechanisms underscores “failures in enforcement, coordination, and proactive disclosure," it added.

To prevent the current anti-corruption drive from becoming “another short-term, optics-only campaign,” the president should establish a clear audit and investigation roadmap, set outcome timelines, ensure independent oversight participation, and demonstrate leadership through full disclosure. 

“Beyond the fireworks display of corruption, and as safeguards against conflicts of interest and collusion, citizens have a right to know the ties that bind, as well as the financial and business interests that link contractors and public officials,” the coalition said.