Ombudsman Remulla to issue memo on SALN access on Oct. 14 

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said he would issue a new memorandum allowing access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of public officials on Tuesday, Oct. 14 or earlier than he originally intended.

“Bukas ilalabas ko na yung rules instead of Wednesday. I thought it’s wiser to come up with the rules as fast, as soon as possible. And I will just ask for the cooperation of the Senate and the House, so we will have SALNs on file with us, of everybody. Kasi nga, the law intended that to happen, that all national elective officials should also file with the Ombudsman their SALNs,” Remulla said in a press briefing on Monday.

(I’ll release the rules tomorrow instead of Wednesday. I thought it’s wiser to come up with the rules as fast, as soon as possible. And I will just ask for the cooperation of the Senate and the House, so we will have SALNs on file with us, of everybody. Because the law intended that to happen, that all national elective officials should also file their SALNs with the Ombudsman.) 

“Although administratively they are run separately from a constitutional office, they have their own rules of running their own houses. Pero hihingi tayo ng kopya sa kanila. Kasi maganda na yung mag-file na rin dito sa Ombudsman ng lahat ng national elective officials,” he added. 

(Although administratively they are run separately from a constitutional office, they have their own rules of running their own houses. But we will ask them for copies. Because it would be good for all national elective officials to also file here with the Ombudsman.) 

Earlier, Remulla said the memorandum would also allow access to the SALNs of the President and the Vice President.

His policy is far from his predecessor’s, Samuel Martires, who restricted the access to SALNs by requiring the consent of the owner of the SALN for disclosure, among other restrictions.

Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees expressly mandates that SALNs must be made available for inspection at reasonable hours and for copying after 10 working days from the time they are filed, subject to prescribed regulations. 

On Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the executive branch will abide by any directive by the new Ombudsman on matters related to the SALNs of public officials. — JMA, GMA Integrated News