Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced plans to issue a new memorandum that will once again allow public access to the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
“That [memo] is what we have to prepare for — the guidelines, parameters that have to be spelled out, and also the undertaking of the requesting party,” Remulla said in his first press conference as Ombudsman. He added that the memorandum could be issued “hopefully by Wednesday next week.”
While the move restores a key transparency measure, Remulla clarified that access will still follow existing laws to ensure data privacy. “It cannot be free for all. It doesn’t work that way because there is data privacy and security problems can arise,” he said.
The announcement departs from the 2020 policy of former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, which limited public access to SALNs and required the document owner’s consent for disclosure.
Under Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, SALNs must be available for inspection and copying after 10 working days from filing, subject to regulations. The 1987 Constitution likewise declares that “public office is a public trust,” and that officials must remain accountable to the people.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno welcomed the change, calling it “a long-overdue correction to a policy that weakened transparency and accountability by restricting public access to SALNs.”
Remulla also revealed plans to launch a public interest unit where citizens can report suspicious lifestyles of public officials. “I want to open this office to the public. Kasi dapat ito sumbungan ng bayan eh,” he said, adding that they plan to crowdsource information for lifestyle checks. “Ang kapitbahay naman ang pwede makapagsabi kung ano iyong buhay nung tao na gusto mong pag-aralan eh.”
