Duterte’s SALNs secret; PCIJ makes public wealth disclosures of all presidents since Cory
With the Office of the Ombudsman’s latest memorandum circular, SALN access is now restricted across all branches of government.
Laws governing wealth disclosure
Contrary to laws, public access to the SALNs has been problematic, with custodians issuing directives that either go beyond reasonable requirements or plainly restrict access.
Solicitor General Jose Calida, in his 2017 SALN, identified his wife Milagros as chair and president of Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc., a security firm that won multimillion-peso government contracts. Screenshot: Calida’s 2017 SALN
What’s in a SALN anyway?
By law, SALNs must contain detailed information on an official’s real and personal properties, loans and other liabilities, and net worth as well as business interests, financial connections and relatives in government.
A citizen’s guide to where and how to get a SALN
By law, actual copies of SALNs should be open for public inspection at reasonable hours or available for copying after 10 working days from the time they are filed.