Ex-Sulu gov Tan, son face raps for non-filing of SALNs

Former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan and his son, Maimbung Mayor Samier Tan, have been charged at the Sandiganbayan over their alleged failure to file their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2007 to 2011.

State prosecutors filed seven counts of violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees against the Tans—five counts for the elder Tan and two counts for his son.

They were accused of "willfully, unlawfully and criminally" failing to file their SALN with Diclosure of Business Interest and Financial Connections and Identification of Relatives in Government Service under oath and submit them to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Abdusakur allegedly failed to file his SALN for the years 2007 to 2010, while Samier failed to submit his own for years 2010 and 2011.

A total bail bond of P50,000 and P20,000 have been recommended in the cases of Abdusakur and Samier, respectively.

In a related administrative case, the Ombudsman suspended Samier for six months while Abdusakur was fined an equivalent of his six months' salary since he is no longer in public office.

On the other hand, Abdusakur scored a victory at the Ombudsman after the anti-graft body dropped the graft charges filed against him by his former political rival, Temogen Tulawie, and Abner Tahil over the alleged irregular release of suspected Abu Sayyaf Group members in 2013. 

The Ombudsman said it is dismissing the case for violation of Sections 3(e) and (f) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act due to the complainants' failure to present proof of their allegations. —KG, GMA News