Lacson: Politicians who refuse to disclose SALN are hiding something

Presidential aspirant and Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said he believes those politicians who refuse to disclose their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) are “hiding something.”

“Dalawang words: May tinatago,” Lacson said in an ANC interview when asked to provide a term for politicians who don’t release their SALNs.

On Monday, fellow presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said SALNs should not be made public if they are to be used to politically attack government officials.

At The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews aired on Saturday, Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao and Lacson all agreed that the SALN of government officials must be made available to the public.

Under the Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, public officials and employees “have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.”

The Office of the Ombudsman had issued a policy restricting the public’s access to SALNs, including that of the President.

In a press conference on Monday, Moreno reiterated that he was open to disclosing his SALN to the public.

"Aba oo naman, diba requirement 'yun, sinasubmit naman 'yun... sa amin nasa gobyerno eh," Moreno said. "Wala naman tayong tinatago..."

(Of course, that's a requirement. We are not hiding anything.) — BM, GMA News