Only 13 of 316 high officials released SALNs to watchdog

Only 13 of 316 high officials readily disclosed their wealth for the public’s right to information.

That’s a paltry four percent who gave statements of assets, liabilities and net worth on request of the coalition Right to Know Right Now.

Among the secretive officials were resigned executive secretary Lucas Bersamin, Budget secretary Amenah Pangandaman and DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan, who were implicated in the P1.7-trillion flood works scam. Also Finance Sec. Ralph Recto, who replaced Bersamin. And Education Sec. Sonny Angara, also linked to the scandal.

Unresponsive too were the highest officers, President Bongbong Marcos and VP Sara Duterte.

BBM’s last publicized SALN was in mid-2016. His senatorial term ended then and he ran and lost as VP.

Sara’s last known SALN was in 2019 as Davao City mayor.

In 2020 then-ombudsman Samuel Martires hid SALNs of high officials, including his, till replaced last September.

New Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has set five harsh conditions to release SALNs, including his.

SALNs can check an official’s integrity or lack of it. Hiding the tracker documents encourages corruption. Two examples:

• Bilyonaryo.com reported that the “social-climbing wife” caused troubles for the officer-husband. “SCW” took to jet-setting soon after the officer’s appointment in July 2022. She spent the equivalent of the exec’s annual salary in single shopping sprees and facial treatments abroad. Several times her last-minute buys delayed her commercial flights, and she even bragged to amigas about it.

The couple allegedly raked in big money via case-fixing in the exec’s agency. Troubled businessmen were referred to SCW’s father, who took for them 20-percent “success fee” per case. Within months the couple was able to buy mansions in Metro Manila and Europe.

The First Couple heard about the scheme, Bilyonaryo reported Nov. 14. Wham! High exec was replaced within days.

The public never saw his SALNs when he joined government, in April every year thereafter and within one month of leaving. The 1989 Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards requires all officials to file SALNs under those three deadlines.

What assets did he declare? Did those tally with his income and property tax payments while in office?

• An exec of equivalent rank as the above was suddenly removed last June. In mid-October he applied for membership in a posh golf club in Metro Manila. But when asked by the membership committee for his SALN, he withdrew his application.

Photos have been compiled of his sprawling lots and luxury vehicles. Three mansions are on different streets in one upscale subdivision south of Manila. Each mansion has multi-story garages on adjacent lots. Each garage has 10-12 cars, including a Lamborghini, a Land Cruiser and SUVs. Household help hop from mansion to mansion in five golf carts.

He’s known to neighbors by his first name and wife’s surname.

He too should’ve filed SALNs upon joining government, every year and upon leaving.

Watchdog R2KRN emailed BBM and VP Sara for their SALNs, but was ignored. R2KRN also reached out to 24 senators, 194 district and 40 party-list representatives whose emails were posted on websites, 25 Cabinet members, 14 DPWH under- and assistant secretaries and 17 DPWH regional directors.

“Our singular request was for them to voluntarily make their SALNs publicly available, thereby affirming their commitment to transparency and accountability,” R2KRN stated Oct. 17.

The 13 who readily gave SALNs are worthy of emulation:

• Secretaries Arsenio Balisacan of Economic Planning, Raphael Lotilla of Environment and Natural Resources and Renato Solidum of Science and Technology;

• Reps Kaka Bag-ao, Dinagat Islands; Egay Erice, Caloocan; Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, Dadah Ismula of Akbayan and Eli San Fernando, Kamanggagawa;

• DPWH regional directors: Khadaffy Tanggol, Cordillera Administrative Region; Ronnel Tan, Ilocos; Roseller Tolentino, Central Luzon; Alex Ramos, Caraga.

While all senators snubbed R2KRN, they succumbed to public outcry for transparency and accountability. One by one they posted SALNs on their websites by Oct. 30.

R2KRN will also request SALNs from the Supreme Court and constitutional commissioners on Audit, Civil Service and Elections. Plus Ombudsman Remulla.

R2KRN consists of individuals and organizations advocating Freedom of Information. Convenors are Malou Mangahas, former head of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan and Jenina Joy Chavez.

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