SC welcomes new Ombudsman memo allowing public access to SALN

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed support for the latest memorandum issued by the Office of the Ombudsman lifting the barriers to access the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of public officials.

“The Supreme Court (SC) upholds the public’s constitutional right to access information, records, and documents in its custody, subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law,” the SC said in a statement. 

The High Court cited a 2012 ruling where it ruled that public access to the SALN, personal data sheet, and curriculum vitae of public officials such as SC justices are allowed under constitutional rights “subject, of course, to the limitations and prohibitions provided in R.A. No. 6713, its implementing rules and regulations, and in the guidelines set forth in the decretal portion.” 

“Under A.M. No. 09-8-6-SC, copies of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), Personal Data Sheets (PDS), and Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Justices of the SC are requested from the Office of the Clerk of Court and are subject to the approval of the Court En Banc,” the SC added. 

Further, the SC said that requests for such documents must be made in writing using the request form available on its website. It noted that the specific purpose for which the information will be used must be stated in the request form. 

The SC also said that media requests must include proof of media affiliation and accreditation.

But the SC said that it is currently updating its rules and forms on access to information. 

According to the Civil Service Commission, the head of the personnel/administrative unit or unit/human resource management office shall transmit all original copies of the SALNs to the concerned offices. In the case of SC justices, the repository office for their SALNs is the Clerk of Court of the Supreme Court. —LDF, GMA Integrated News