Ex-Lanao del Sur mayor faces raps over ‘incomplete’ SALN

The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday said it has found probable cause to indict the former mayor of Marantao, Lanao del Sur, over his alleged non-declaration of several assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

The Ombudsman said former mayor Mohammadali Abboh Abinal will face six counts each of perjury and violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Records showed that Abinal failed to declare five firearms and one truck in his SALNs for years 2007 to 2012.

In its resolution, the Ombudsman said Abinal is liable in the case after certifying that the contents of his SALNs are true despite his failure to disclose several possessions.

“Respondent made a willful and deliberate assertion of a falsehood when he failed to declare the mentioned assets in his SALNs,” the Ombudsman said.

“It must be stressed that he certified in his SALNs that the contents thereof are true statements of his assets and liabilities, including those of his wife and unmarried children below 18 years of age,” it added.

The Ombudsman further said Abinal’s argument on the whereabouts of his firearms and the scrapping of his truck are best heard in a trial proper.

“His claims that his firearms were either confiscated or lost and that his truck was scrapped are matters of defense involving factual issues, hence, should be fully explained and threshed out not in a preliminary investigation but during trial,” the Ombudsman said. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News