Padilla OKs release of his SALN

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla has written to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. to authorize the release of his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

In the letter, Padilla said his SALN release should be in accordance with his data privacy rights while still complying with the constitutional provision on public office as a “public trust.”

Padilla said he is releasing his SALN in compliance with provisions of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards and he is willing to have his lifestyle and net worth put under public scrutiny.

Rep. Eli San Fernando of party-list Kamanggagawa has also authorized the release of his SALN, where he even wrote House secretary-general Cheloy Garafil to allow the public access.

“We urge our fellow colleagues to do the same, to authorize the Secretary General to make public our SALNs. After all, if we are not hiding anything, we can make it public,” he said.

Before this, only four House members have released copies of their SALNs, among them Reps. Chel Diokno, Percival Cendaña and Dadah Ismula of Akbayan party-list and Rep. Arlene Bag-ao of the lone district of Dinagat Islands.

Diokno declared P13.1 million total assets, Cendaña is worth only a million pesos, Ismula had a net worth of P3.2 million while Bag-ao declared a net of P15 million in total assets.

In a radio interview, Speaker Faustino Dy III said they will review the rules on the public disclosure of the SALN of all its 317 members.

The Speaker said that House members are “generally open” to the idea and will discuss formal procedures during the congressional break to ensure consistent and transparent disclosure.

Rep. Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal party-list, meanwhile, welcomed Remulla’s decision to lift the restrictions on public access to the SALNs of government officials.

“This carries out clearly the Ombudsman’s mandate as the anti-corruption champion – to protect the public interest and to promote the common good – not the personal interests of the powers that be. SALNs should never be hidden (from) the public,” she said. – Delon Porcalla