Ombudsman proposes imprisonment for those making commentaries on SALNs
MANILA - Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Thursday said he wants the country's laws on the release of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of government personnel reconciled, proposing jail time for those who make public comments on the said document.
"I am a victim of that. I had wanted to prove to my staff what the media can do to destroy a government official. I give my SALN. What happened? The following day, it was the banner story in one of the leading newspapers. “Ombudsman richer by P15M in 3 months.” So parang kumikita ako ng P5M isang buwan.""I don't know if they understand English also. But the provision of 6713 is very clear. Napakaliwanag, only for publication. Walang Komentaryo," he said.
The Office of the Ombudsman last year issued a memorandum, limiting public access to the SALN and allowing its release only for official investigations, by court order, or upon authority from officials themselves. Citing the same memorandum circular, the Ombudsman early this month denied the request of a lawyer to secure a copy of President Rodrigo Duterte's SALN.
Article XI, Section 17 of the Constitution states: "In the case of the President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Commissions and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law."
During Thursday's hearing at the House committee, Martires stood his ground and insisted on his decision not to release Duterte's SALN. "Wala pa hong report sa akin that there’s an authority from the Office of the President. But I’d like to assure you that the President himself has a complete SALN filed with the Office of the Ombudsman until 2020," he said.
Martires told lawmakers they are still doing lifestyle checks on public officials but only when investigators are doing an actual probe. “The budget cut that amounts to more than P600 million will definitely affect the performance of the agency. It's very unlikely that while other departments are given higher budgets as compared to the previous years, the Ombudman will get a much lower appropriations from P4.5 billion in 2021 or the current year, to only P3.9 billion of the P4.7 billion proposed budget for 2022, as per recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management," said Belmonte.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Martires wants jail term for people commenting on gov’t officials’ SALNMANILA, Philippines — People making commentaries on public officials’ Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) may face a penalty of five years imprisonment if the proposal
Read more »
Martires wants jail term for people commenting on gov’t officials’ SALNMANILA, Philippines — People making commentaries on public officials’ Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) may face a penalty of five years imprisonment if the proposal of
Read more »
Ombudsman rejects De Lima bid to make Duterte SALN publicMANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has rejected the request of several lawyers to release a copy of President Duterte’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN),
Read more »
Metro Manila parishes: No public Masses until gov’t makes up its mind on quarantine status'PABAGO-BAGONG DESISYON.' In a now-viral post, a parish in Paco, Manila announced it will just maintain its suspension of public Masses until the government can give a definite decision on Metro Manila's quarantine status. READ:
Read more »
Lawyer seeks remedies after failure to get Duterte SALNA lawyer who was given the run-around in his attempt to get copies of President Rodrigo Duterte’s SALN is now looking at legal remedies after his request for a copy of it was eventually denied.
Read more »
Ombudsman denies request of lawyers to get copy of Duterte’s SALNICYMI: “Bakit takot na takot sila na ipakita ang SALN ng Pangulo? Kung walang tinatago, wala dapat ikatakot. The law is very clear: the SALN of public officials should be accessible to the public.'
Read more »