Ombudsman to release memo lifting restrictions on SALNs

MANILA, Philippines — New Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has vowed to issue a memorandum restoring public  access to the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of public officials.

At a press briefing on his first day in office yesterday, Remulla said the memorandum, which he would be issuing tentatively by Wednesday next week, shall lay out the parameters on how the public, including members of media, can request for the SALNs of public officials.

“The parameters have to be spelled out. There should be an undertaking from the requesting party, that first, the SALN will not be weaponized,” Remulla said.

Asked if members of media can immediately request for the SALNs of public officials once the memorandum is released, the new ombudsman replied in the affirmative.

“Yes. That should not be a problem. I know I’m opening a can of worms, but so be it,” he said.

Asked if the SALNs of former public officials filed since 2016 can also be released to the public, particularly to members of media, Remulla said: “Why not? We are after public information here. When we talk about transparency, let’s go all the way.”

Specifically asked if his office would allow the release of the SALNs of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, Remulla said yes, adding that he himself would release his SALN.

As for releasing the SALN of President Marcos, Remulla said they have not talked about it, but he was earlier assured by the President of freedom to perform his work as an ombudsman.

Remulla, however, said that the SALNs to be released would be subject to redaction of sensitive information such as the signatures and address of the declarants “for security purposes.”

He added that if the requesting party is a member of media, the ombudsman might also ask to be furnished a copy of the published report about the SALN requested.

Remulla clarified that this was in no way meant to censor the media, but to gain information that the ombudsman can use in its investigations.

“When you have that article and you discover facts, we want to know them, so we can start working with them. It’s more of information-sharing,” he said.

The general provision of Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees states that public officials and employees are mandated to timely file their SALNs as “the public has the right to know their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests, including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.”

However, Section 8 (D) (a) of RA 6713 states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or use (SALN) for any purpose contrary to morals or public policy.”

Section 8 (D) (b) of RA 6713, meanwhile, states that it shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or use SALN “for commercial purpose other than by news and communications media for dissemination to the general public.”

For several years now, the media is left in the dark about the increase or decrease in wealth of top government officials after Remulla’s predecessor, former ombudsman Samuel Martires, issued Memorandum Circular No. 1 in 2020.

The controversial circular, which remains in effect to date, prohibits the release of SALNs under the custody of the ombudsman to the public, including members of media, unless the requester has a notarized letter of authority from the SALN declarant.

At the same press briefing, Remulla said the public can expect the first batch of cases in connection with the flood control project anomalies to be filed at the Sandiganbayan by November.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has obtained its sixth freeze order from the Court of Appeals as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects.

In a statement, the AMLC said the appellate court issued the order yesterday, covering 39 bank accounts, four insurance policies and 59 real estate properties that include residential, commercial and agricultural assets.

ICI legal support

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) has deployed an eight-member legal team to provide legal support to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for a period of six months.

In a statement yesterday, the ICI said the PAO lawyers will report to the fact-finding body every Tuesday to Friday starting Oct. 14.

That day marks the scheduled appearances of former speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned lawmaker Elizaldy Co.

ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said partnering with PAO ensures the commission’s mandate of “ensuring good governance and equitable infrastructure development” will be achieved as it continues to build its organization. –  EJ Macababbad, Bella Cariaso, Keisha Ta-asan