The House of Representatives will review its rules on the public disclosure of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) of its members to promote transparency and accountability, Speaker Faustino Dy III said Wednesday.
Dy also noted he is ready to make his own SALN public, if necessary, to set an example.
In a radio interview, the incumbent House Speaker said his colleagues are generally open to the idea and will discuss formal procedures during the congressional break to ensure consistent and transparent disclosure.
“Actually, it (SALN disclosure) was not formally discussed, but there are talks that the members of the House are willing (to comply),” Dy said partly in Tagalog.
“I think it’s good to talk about it. During our break, we will carefully discuss this, so that we can issue [a clear policy on how we can] support the policy to release our SALNs,” he added.
Dy’s statement came after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla issued a new memorandum reopening public access to SALNs.
The directive allows the public to obtain copies—with sensitive personal data redacted—within 10 working days after filing.
Remulla also said he would request copies of SALNs from both the Senate and the House, noting that all government officials and employees should file with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Dy recalled that SALNs of lawmakers used to be open to public inspection and said Congress should reinstate that practice.
Asked if he would lead by example in making his SALN public, Dy said he is ready to do so. “If its necessary, of course, we should lead by example.”
Meanwhile, the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives described as long overdue Remulla’s lifting of the restrictions on public access to the SALN of public officials.
The bloc, composed of ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Kabataan Rep. Renee Louise Co, and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Jane Elago said this move is “much needed now, especially as questions of wealth and corruption continue to plague the government.”
“This is a step forward for transparency and accountability. For years, we have been calling for the restoration of public access to SALNs. The SALN is not a private document—it is public record that must be accessible to all citizens,” the bloc said.
“When officials hide their wealth, they hide their corruption. This policy change is a crucial tool in our fight for good governance,” they added.
House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima also supported Remulla’s decision to lift the restrictions on public access to the SALNs
“This carries out clearly the Ombudsman’s mandate as the anti-corruption champion—to protect the public interest and to promote the common good—not the personal interests of the powers that be,” De Lima said.
“We must do better and demand stronger policies in the fight against corruption. Make it work for the people. Make it work with the people,” she added.
