The Office of the Ombudsman has moved to obtain the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth of every member of the House of Representatives, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed on Saturday, as his office deepens its investigation into the flood control scandal.
Remulla, speaking on the dzRH radio program “Executive Session,” said the request covers all House lawmakers — not just the 26 already undergoing lifestyle checks in connection with the controversy. A copy of an additional lawmaker’s SALN would be formally sought as early as Monday, he said, though he declined to identify who.
The 26 lawmakers facing lifestyle checks have also been linked to the flood control scandal, though the Ombudsman’s office has not publicly named them.
Remulla signaled that the coming week would bring significant developments. “Marami mangyayari sa Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,” he said on air, while also confirming he had instructed investigators to route all requests to the legislative branch through him directly. “Pinakuha ko na lahat [ng SALN],” he added.
The move marks a departure from practice under his predecessor, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who had tightened access to SALNs, arguing the documents were being exploited for political ends. Remulla noted that under Martires — who served during the Rodrigo Duterte administration — the Ombudsman’s oversight function over SALNs had effectively lapsed. “It was okay to the Ombudsman then na hindi sila bigyan ng SALN,” he said.
Remulla had previously run into resistance in obtaining SALN copies from the House and had issued a public warning to House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil over the matter. Since taking office in October last year, he has reversed Martires-era restrictions and issued revised guidelines on SALN access.
