MANILA — For allegedly failing to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) for two years, a municipal mayor in Maguindanao province is now facing administrative charge before the Sandiganbayan.
The Office of the Ombudsman has filed before the Sandiganbayan four counts of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees” against Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao Mayor Bai Zandria Ampatuan before the anti-graft court.
Under Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713, public officials and employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.
Court records showed that Ampatuan failed to file her SALNs from 2009 to 2011, including her entry SALN upon assuming office as acting mayor in 2009.
The Ombudsman also found Ampatuan guilty of simple neglect of duty, sanctioning her with a six-month suspension without pay. (Perfecto Raymundo, Jr./PNA)
