Speaker Dy: House mulls issuing guidelines for SALN release

The House of Representatives is set to issue guidelines in releasing the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of its members, Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Wednesday.

“There are no formal talks yet but there have been discussions between House members about it, and they are willing [to disclose their SALN]. Sa tingin ko, magandang mapag-usapan ‘yan,” Dy said in a statement.

“During our break, pag-uusapan naming mabuti para makapaglabas kami [ng malinaw na patakaran kung paano namin maipapakita] ang suporta sa paglalabas ng aming mga SALN,” Dy added.

(During the break, we will discuss this so as to come up with clear guidelines in releasing our SALNs.) 

Dy’s statements came after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla removed restrictions concerning the public’s access to the SALN of public officials submitted to the anti-graft body.

Remulla’s still unnumbered memorandum circular revoked the 2020 memorandum imposing restrictions on public access to SALN, including requiring consent of the owner for public disclosure.

The Ombudsman is the official repository or keeper of the SALNs of the President, Vice President, officials of constitutional offices such as the Ombudsman, Commission on Elections, Commission on Human Rights, Civil Service Commission and Commission on Audit and the local government unit officials.

The repository of the SALNs of the members of the House and Senate, on the other hand, are the Secretary General of the respective legislative chambers. This means that the lawmakers’ SALN’s are not covered by the Remulla memo.

Dy also reiterated on Wednesday that he is willing to show his SALN “if needed” to set an example.

Ahead of Dy’s statements, Assistant Ombudsman and spokesperson Mico Clavano strongly encouraged other government agencies to adopt the Ombudsman’s policy of public disclosure of SALNs.

“This decision is guided by a simple principle. The public has a legitimate right to know how those in government acquire and manage their wealth. Transparency in this area is not a slogan. It is a safeguard against corruption and a deterrent to abuse of power,” Clavano said in a press conference.

“At a time when trust in institutions is tested, the best way to rebuild confidence is through openness backed by concrete access to information. The [Ombudsman’s] office also calls on all agencies that keep official copies of silence, the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the President, Congress, and Judiciary, and the local government units to align their practices with this policy. Consistency across institutions is key. Selective transparency only breeds suspicion,” Clavano added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News