Zubiri: Don’t use SALN as ‘weapon’ vs politicians

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Friday also backed the call for lifestyle checks among government officials, but said that their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) should not be used against them.

This, as his fellow minority bloc member Senator Risa Hontiveros said Thursday that “it would be a good example and show of leadership” if President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will disclose his SALN, following his order to subject all government officials to lifestyle checks.

Zubiri said that he is all for transparency but emphasized that the use of the SALN should not be abused.

“The SALN is a public document, we submit it to the Ombudsman, we also submit it to our agencies of government. Pero I just want to caution na ‘wag sanang gamitin ang (but I just want to raise caution not to use) SALN as a weapon against politicians,” the senator said.

Zubiri said that some public officials, especially those in the local level, have no idea how to properly prepare their SALN, and their political rivals use it against them during election season by filing cases before the Ombudsman.

“So let's put it in that context. We can release our SALN, especially if we have nothing to hide. But at the same time, let's also be wary of people using it to weaponize and use it against these politicians pagdating sa halalan dahil may mga kaso na po sila sa Ombudsman (use it as a weapon during elections),” he added.

Regardless, Zubiri said the lifestyle checks should include both appointed and elected officials in the government, amid the ongoing investigation into anomalous flood control projects in the country.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Friday that Marcos is ready to undergo a lifestyle check.

"Lahat ng parte ng Ehekutibo ay ready for lifestyle check... lahat po ng ehekutibo ay ready, pati po ang Pangulo," Castro said.

(All members of the Executive branch are ready for a lifestyle check, including the President.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News