Palace Speaks on SALN of Pres. Bongbong Marcos amid Senators Releasing their SALNs
BONGBONG MARCOS – Malacañang said the President will only release his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) to “proper authorities”.
Ombudsman Boying Remulla recently reopened the SALNs of the government officials for public access. His office released a memorandum that lifted the circular order released during the term of former Ombudsman Samuel Martires who retired in June. Then, the consent of the SALN owner was needed.
Remulla stressed in the memo the principle embedded in the Philippine Constitution that “public office is a public trust”. He also requested the senators to voluntarily disclose their SALNs to the public — which many senators immediately responded to.
Sen. Ping Lacson even bared his SALN that showed a nearly P200 million growth in his net worth in just three (3) years which he credited to business activities. Senators Risa Hontiveros and Robin Padilla as well as Senate Pres. Tito Sotto also disclosed their SALNs.
Amid the senators disclosing their SALNs, the House of Representatives claimed that they are ready to craft rules on the disclosure of the SALN of the members. There are also calls for Pres. Bongbong Marcos to issue a copy of his own SALN.
Recently, Malacañang spoke on the SALN of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. Based on a report on Inquirer, Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro clarified the previous statement of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin that junked the “indiscriminate freedom” for the people to access the SALNs of government officials.
“First of all, the President has already spoken and said that he is willing to submit and show his SALN to the proper authorities. There are existing rules and procedures set by the Office of the Ombudsman,” the Palace official said.
Based on the report, the Palace said that the statement of Bersamin should not be taken that Malacañang is withholding the SALNs of Pres. Bongbong Marcos and the executive officials. According to Atty. Claire Castro, the President already said that requests for SALNs’ public disclosure will be granted.
“The President already said that all requests for SALNs will be granted. But there are certain guidelines provided by the Ombudsman. The executive will comply with these,” Castro said.
Amid the SALN disclosure, Sen. Raffy Tulfo also disclosed his joint SALN with his wife that showed he has a P1.05 billion net worth.