MANILA – In a landmark move to revive government transparency, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has lifted the restrictions on public access to the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of government officials — reversing a policy that had severely limited disclosure for several years.
Remulla’s new directive, issued under Memorandum Circular No. 3, reopens SALNs for public inspection and reproduction, marking what his office described as “a decisive restoration of transparency as a cornerstone of public accountability.”
“This decision is guided by a simple principle: the public has a legitimate right to know how those in government acquire and manage their wealth. Transparency in this area is not a slogan – it is a safeguard against corruption and a deterrent to abuse of power,” the Ombudsman said in a statement.
Under the revised rules, copies of SALNs filed with the Ombudsman may be requested through the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO) or its regional bureaus, at least 10 working days after the final submission deadline from all government agencies.
The circular also strengthens the mechanisms for lifestyle checks by allowing any individual to file a complaint before the Field Investigation Office (FIO) if they can show evidence that a public official’s assets appear disproportionate to their declared income.
However, requests for SALNs will be denied if found to be for commercial, malicious, or harassing purposes, or if the requester has a record of prior misuse of such documents.
Certain personal information — such as the declarant’s home address, details of minor children, identification numbers, and signaturesc — will be redacted to protect privacy.
The directive further requires media outlets and individuals who publish or broadcast SALN-related reports to furnish the Ombudsman’s office with a copy or link to their material within five days of publication to ensure accountability in the use of public documents.
The new policy takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, signaling a major policy shift toward greater openness in monitoring the wealth of public officials — and a renewed effort to strengthen the public’s trust in government./PN
