Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima issued a challenge to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., urging him to publicly release his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and direct his Cabinet to do the same.
She issued the call after learning about Malacanang’s reservations about disclosing the SALNs of the President and his Cabinet.
“Tutal sinama na rin naman ng administrasyong ito ang isinusulong natin na Freedom of Information (FOI) Act as one of its priority measures this 20th Congress, the President should demonstrate his sincerity and commitment to transparency and accountability by disclosing his SALN and encouraging his Cabinet to do the same,” she said.
“Patunayan niyang iba siya sa sinundan niya na galit sa korupsyon kuno pero isinikreto lang ang SALN kasama ng protektor nyang Ombudsman. Hindi pwedeng hanggang salita lang ang paglaban sa korupsyon, ‘yung biglang kambyo at ang dami pang kuskos-balungos sa simpleng paglalabas ng SALN,” she added.
President Marcos’ predecessor was former president and current Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte, whom De Lima didn’t mention by name.
The call for public officials to release their SALNs was part of the response to public outrage over the massive corruption involving government flood control projects.
“With corruption of this magnitude, and for the public to believe that this administration is true to its word in holding those involved accountable, the President must pursue an all-out war against corruption,” De Lima said.
“All-out means no cover-ups, no sacred cows, and no stone left unturned. And the administration should not exempt itself from scrutiny,” she further said.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla recently lifted the restrictions of his predecessor Samuel Martires, who required the consent of SALN owners before the document could be made public.
In the House of Representatives, Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III responded by voluntarily releasing his SALN, on top of re-forming the SALN Review and Compliance Committee. (Ellson Quismorio)
