“Public office is a public trust” It is the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and
Net Worth. This serves as the formal and
A solemn promise that those in power will
legal declaration of public officials and
uphold their sworn duty with integrity,
employees’ financial standing.
transparency, and accountability. But today,
we ask: do our public officials truly live up to As presented, it includes their real and
this promise? personal properties, financial obligations,
and total net worth.
Through this presentation, we will be able
to: They must also declare their business
ownerships and financial connections,
Reflect on the importance of SALN of public
including those of their spouses and
officials and employees, obtain a
unmarried children below the age of
comprehensive understanding of its
eighteen that reside in the same household.
fundamental purpose, and understand the
role and obligations of government Also, to the best of their knowledge, their
personnel in the accomplishment and relatives in the government service must
submission of SALN. also be disclosed.
Nations across borders have been striving So, who must file SALNs?
to end the long-standing battle against
All public officials and employees, including
corruption. And one of their approaches to
those in the national and local government,
address this dilemma is the establishment
state universities and colleges, as well as
of asset declaration systems.
government-owned and controlled
Globally, according to World Bank, there are corporations.
over hundred of countries that already
Excluding, honorary officials, laborers, and
implemented their respective system. In the
casual or temporary workers.
Philippines, this system of declaration is
reflected in the compulsory completion and There is also a prescribed timeline of
submission of Statement of Assets, submission—within thirty days after
Liabilities, and Net Worth of public officials assumption of office, on or before April 30,
and employees. of every year thereafter, and within thirty
days after separation from the service.
This is mandated by the Republic Act No.
6713, otherwise known as the Code of This ensures that disclosures remain up-to-
Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public date, promoting consistency in
Officials and Employees, with the aim to transparency.
regulate the conduct of public personnel.
Copies of SALNs can also be requested by
It serves as the moral compass of the Office of the Ombudsman. While those
government personnel, urging each one of of constitutional bodies and Armed Forces,
them to uphold patriotism and justice, live with high command rank, must be available
simply, and promote the interests of the to the public within ten years only unless
people over their own—guiding them toward needed for an ongoing investigation
being ethical, competent, and committed
public servants. The use of submitted declarations for any
purpose contrary to moral standards and for
Now, what is SALN? commercial gain are prohibited under the
law.
An example of the use of SALN in an administration, a field dedicated to shaping
administrative investigation is the 2022 a government that is ethical and people-
SALN of former Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban centered.
Tarlac, which showed significant
inconsistencies. As shown, she declared
assets of over four hundred million in the
version submitted on June 30, and only two
hundred million on the amended version
filed on July 1.
This case illustrated how Statement of
Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN)
can be instrumental in uncovering
discrepancies in declared wealth to find
evidence of corrupt and illicit acts.
Evidently, SALN is not just a mere piece of
document accomplished for compliance;
rather, it is a significant instrument in
building a government shaped by the values
of transparency and accountability. Hence, it
is of utmost importance to understand its
content and role in governance.
However, the regulation of SALNs remains
vulnerable to problems. With that, the
presented recommendations may be
undertaken.
First, the results of SALN verification may
be disclosed to the public, letting
government personnel know that they are a
subject of public scrutiny.
Second, members of the workforce, who
have utmost understanding of one another’s
living conditions, may be allowed to review
their colleagues SALNs before filing.
And lastly, cross-checking of declared
information with other official records of the
government may be performed to ensure
consistency and accuracy.
Overall, the filing of SALNs fosters
transparency and accountability in public
service, as well as strengthens regulatory
policies and mechanisms in curbing
corruption, which are fundamental practices
with far-reaching implications to public