MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has charged former Saguiran, Lanao del Sur Mayor Rasmia Macabago for not filing her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2007 to 2010.
The former mayor was charged with three counts of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” with the Ombudsman rejecting Macabago’s argument that she did not know she ought to file a SALN.
A certification dated Oct. 20, 2016 issued by the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao was presented stating “there are no available SALNs on file of the respondent.”
In her counter-affidavit, Macabago argued that “she did not know that she ought to file a SALN since she did not know of any local officials who filed the same.”
In its resolution, the Ombudsman said: “This Area Office’s Certification affirming the non-availability of respondent’s SALNs from CYs 2007 to 2010, coupled with her admission, suffices to indict respondent for violation of R.A. No. 6713.”
“That respondent did not know of her duty to file her SALN cannot be given credence, as taking part of public service carries with the bounden duty to uphold the law,” the Ombudsman stressed.
It added: “The filing of SALNs of every public official or government employee cannot be overemphasized [as i]t is the public’s means of monitoring the income and lifestyle of public officials and employees in compliance with the constitutional policy on public accountability and to ensure that all government employees and officials lead just and modest lives.”
Section 8 of RA No. 6713 states that all public officials and employees are obliged to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of their assets, liabilities, net worth, and financial and business interests, including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years old and living in their households. (PNA)
