The restriction of public access to Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) through Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2020 has been questioned during the house budget briefing of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires clarified that the directive does not affect the SALN of those in the Congress, civil service, and the Office of the President.
He also pointed out the attention being given to the SALN to vilify people in government.
“Sa experience ng Ombdusman, naging weaponized po ang SALN. Ginamit po ito na means para siraan ang isang tao o siraan ang isang kalaban sa pulitika (Based on the experience of the Ombudsman, the SALN has become weaponized to discredit a person or political opposition),” Martires explained.
“Ngayong ako’y nag-assume bilang Ombudsman, pinatigil ko na muna ‘yung lifestyle check dahil matagal na akong may question, may duda ako sa provision ng batas tungkol sa lifestyle checks (Now that I assumed [the post] as Ombudsman, I ordered the suspension of lifestyle checks because I have questions and doubts on the provision of the law on lifestyle checks),” Martires added.
The Ombudsman also expressed disappointment on complainants who do not want to testify amid increasing complaints on corruption within government agencies like the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
“I-abolish na lang siguro ang Office of the Ombudsman para less din ang gastos ng pamahalaan. Kapag i-abolish ang OMB, i-abolish na rin ang Sandiganbayan siguro (Just abolish the Office of the Ombudsman to lessen government expenses. If you abolish the OMB, abolish the Sandiganbayan as well),” Martires lamented due to lack of witnesses.
“Idadagdag natin ‘yung pera na ginagastos sa pagpapatayo ng mga pabahay sa ating mahihirap na kababayan (Let’s just add the money to build houses for poor citizens),” he added.
– Report from Daniel Manalastas
