Palace: Marcos wary of 'executive overreach' in push for SALN access

Malacañang on Monday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is careful not to overstep his authority while supporting efforts to access the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of government officials under investigation in other branches of government.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the President respects the rules of other government branches, amid reports that the Office of the Ombudsman has begun seeking the SALNs of lawmakers linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

"It's clear that the President wants transparency and accountability. But each department has its own rules. There is a separation of powers, and whatever rules the House of Representatives or Congress sets regarding this matter, the President will respect them," Castro said.

"The President also seeks to avoid executive overreach," she added.

Castro’s statement came a day after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla expressed dismay over the delays faced by graft investigators in accessing SALNs of House members in relation to the ongoing investigation into the flood control fund scandal.

The House Secretary General reportedly told ombudsman investigators that access to SALNs of House members under investigation needs approval by the plenary. 

Remulla said he would write to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III to clarify the procedures for obtaining the SALNs of members under investigation.

The Civil Service Commission notes that the Ombudsman is “authorized to obtain and secure from all appropriate government agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, such documents that may show the declarant’s assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests, and financial connections.”—MCG, GMA Integrated News