Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero said candidates seeking elective posts in the 2022 national elections should bare their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) in the spirit of transparency and accountability to help the electorate decide their next choice of public officials who will lead this country.
Escudero, a veteran senator who had served the Senate for two consecutive terms, said that disclosing the SALN will also boost a candidate’s credibility and integrity as voters pick the names, they will put in the ballot come election day.
“Kung alam na mga botante ang SALN ng mga tumatakbo, maari itong makatulong sa ating mga kababayan sa kanilang pagpili ng mga kandidato para sa darating na halalan,” Escudero said. “Wala akong nakikitang dahilan para ito ipagdamot sa mga botante kung nais ng kandidato na tunay na maglingkod sa publiko.”
In 2010 when he was senator, Escudero first filed Senate Bill No. 16, or the Submission of Waiver of Bank Deposits Bill, which sought the mandatory signing of bank waiver along with the filing of the SALN with the Office of the Ombudsman by all public officials and employees. The waiver would give the Ombudsman the authority to look into all bank deposits and investment bonds of public servants here and abroad.
He refiled this bill in 2013 under the 16th Congress and had always submitted to the Senate Secretary his SALN together with a signed waiver on secrecy of bank deposits to set an example to his fellow public servants.
“For greater transparency, we should make our SALNs readily available. Kung wala ka namang itinatago, wala kang dapat ikatakot,” said Escudero, who is seeking a fresh six-year mandate in the Senate.
Republic Act 6713 or The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees requires all government officials and personnel to submit sworn SALN documents within 30 days after assuming office and not later than April 30 every year thereafter. The law also mandates the record custodian to publicly disclose these records.
Public officials and employees need to file under oath their SALN and disclose their business interests and financial connections. They must also declare the wealth of their spouses and unmarried children under 18 living in their households.
Escudero, however, said the execution of the bank secrecy waiver by public officials, particularly those seeking elective posts, will be “proof of their honest intent in rendering public service and as an assurance against theft of public funds.”