WE AWAIT with much hope and anticipation the release of the Ombudsman’s order on the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of our government officials.
The Ombudsman, former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, has vowed to provide Filipinos greater access to the financial condition of public servants.
His immediate predecessor, Samuel Martires, eroded the public’s trust in the office once known as the Tanodbayan. Martires issued a circular saying that SALNs may only be made available if the official in question gives a notarized consent to release his or her SALN, if there is a court order, or if it would be part of a government investigation.
He also openly proposed that the law be amended to imprison anybody who makes a comment on the SALN of any official.
It appeared that the issue hit close to home; Martires lashed out at those who observed that his personal wealth increased by P15 million between the months of August and December 2018.
But now the recently appointed Remulla has a good opportunity to restore the people’s confidence in a constitutional office mandated to “investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient.”
The public nature of the SALNs is of even greater significance these days, as the country contends with revelations of the extent of corruption and collusion in government projects.
In flood-control projects in a specific province alone, the degree of shamelessness has been unprecedented – what more if we consider other projects in all other geographic regions?
It would also be easier to assess whether the living standards of our public officials – and their privileged families who often cannot help flaunting their luxuries – are commensurate with the actual salaries they earn from taxpayers’ money.
The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees should be enough of a guide to those working in government, on whatever bureaucratic level, to live simply and within their means. It does not take a giant leap of the imagination to understand that assets not listed on the SALN but conspicuously flaunted in real life, or on social media constitute actionable proof of wrongdoing and abuse of power.
We are struggling to build our reputation as a country of reform and transparency, despite drowning in the mess created by our own leaders. Genuine transparency in the financial resources of our public officials will show our willingness to change. Any step, however small, toward the light, will always be a step in the right direction.
