Manila: Speaker Faustino Dy III announced a review of the rules concerning the public disclosure of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) for all House of Representatives members, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in governance. He expressed his willingness to disclose his own SALN to set a precedent for other lawmakers.
According to Philippines News Agency, the House Speaker emphasized the importance of leading by example in a radio interview on DWLA TrueFM, stating that House members are open to discussing the procedures required to ensure consistent and transparent SALN disclosure. This initiative aligns with recent actions by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who issued a memorandum reinstating public access to SALNs. The new policy facilitates public acquisition of SALNs within ten working days of filing, with personal data redacted, and removes the previous requirement for consent from the SALN owners.
The memorandum overturned the restrictive 2020 policy by former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, which had effectively made SALNs inaccessible by requiring consent from the officials themselves. Dy underscored the need to revert to the previous practice of making SALNs available for public scrutiny, reinforcing the transparency mandate.
Opposition lawmakers, including ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, welcomed the Ombudsman’s move, highlighting its significance in the fight against corruption. Tinio criticized the previous policy as an attempt to protect corrupt officials from accountability, emphasizing the SALN as a public record essential for transparency.
Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Jane Elago echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of the policy change for young Filipinos and civil society groups advocating for transparency. They called for the use of SALN access as a tool to demand investigations and justice, urging relevant agencies to prosecute corrupt officials effectively.
The reestablished access to SALNs is seen as a critical step in promoting good governance and holding public officials accountable, with lawmakers urging for comprehensive investigations into unexplained wealth and corruption.