Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Friday that he will soon issue a new memorandum granting public access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of government officials — including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
Remulla made the statement during his first press conference as Ombudsman, saying the new directive aims to clarify guidelines and parameters for requesting SALN copies. “That [memo] is what we have to prepare — the guidelines, parameters that have to be spelled out. And also the undertaking (purpose) of the requesting party,” he explained.
When asked about the timeline for the release, Remulla said he hopes to issue the memorandum “by Wednesday next week.”
The Ombudsman emphasized that while transparency will be upheld, access to SALNs will still adhere to existing laws on 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.
Remulla’s plan marks a departure from the policy of former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who in 2020 restricted public access to SALNs. Under Martires’ memo, requests could only be granted with the consent of the SALN owner and under limited circumstances — a move widely criticized by transparency advocates and media organizations.
Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, mandates that SALNs be open for public inspection within reasonable hours and may be copied after ten working days from filing, subject to regulations.
Legal experts note that the 1987 Constitution also supports such transparency. Article XI, Section 1 states that “public office is a public trust,” requiring government officials to remain accountable to the people and to act with integrity and modesty.
Remulla’s forthcoming memorandum is seen as a potential step toward restoring public confidence in the government’s commitment to accountability and openness. Advocacy groups and journalists have long argued that access to SALNs is crucial for uncovering corruption and monitoring the financial activities of public officials.
If implemented as promised, Remulla’s policy could mark a significant shift in promoting transparency within the highest levels of government.