Ombudsman Martires' net worth goes up in 5 months from P41.7M to P57M

Ombudsman Samuel Martires saw his wealth improve from P41,728,000 in August 2018 to 57,064,806.17 in December 2018.

The Ombudsman filed his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for 2018 in April this year where he stated he had assets and net worth of P57,064,806.17 as of December 2018. He declared no liabilities.

In September last year, Martires filed his SALN and stated therein that his net worth was P41,728,000 as of August 6, 2018.

In five months as Ombudsman, Martires had his wealth increase by at least P15 million.

The increase in the Ombudsman’s net worth was attributed to the improvement in the amount of his personal properties which almost doubled.

It grew from P28,538,000 as of August 2018 to 55,506,806.17 as of December 2018.

Public officials and employees, like Martires, have an obligation to declare their assets, liabilities, net worth and business interests under Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or Republic Act No. 6713.

Martires took his oath as Ombudsman on August 6 last year.

He said then he will prioritize looking into the issue of inordinate delay and corruption allegations at the Office of the Ombudsman, including one made by a former lawyer of President Rodrigo Duterte involving the payment of a “parking fee” to delay the resolution of pending cases at the anti-graft body. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News