State workers told to file SALN by April 30

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) yesterday reminded government officials and employees to file their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth or SALN on or before April 30.

“This act (filing of SALN) is both a constitutional and statutory obligation of every public servant, such that failure to do so warrants the imposition of a concomitant administrative penalty,” Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales warned.

The 1987 Constitution as well as Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees mandate all government officials and employees to file their SALN annually.

Under Section 8 of RA 6713, all public officials and employees must submit their SALNs within 30 days after assumption of office, on or before April 30 of every year thereafter and within 30 days after separation from the service.

“The Civil Service Commission reminds all public officials and employees to file their sworn statement of assets, liabilities and net worth for 2017 by April 30, 2018,” the CSC said in a statement.

The CSC reminded government workers that their SALNs should contain the “true, detailed and sworn” declaration of their assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests and financial connections, including those of their spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.

The CSC said public servants must also declare in their SALN any relatives in government service within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity as of the end of the preceding year.

“As public servants, it is our way of signifying that we are in government only to serve the public and not to use our positions to enrich ourselves or our families,” CSC chair Alicia dela Rosa-Bala said.

Both the ombudsman and the CSC warned that non-filing of SALN as well as any misdeclaration in one’s SALN shall be a ground for administrative disciplinary action, without prejudice to criminal and civil liabilities.

Under Section 46 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, failure to file a SALN is punishable with suspension of one month to six months for the first offense and dismissal from the service for the second offense.

As for the criminal aspect, the erring government worker could face cases of perjury and violation of RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Non-filing of or misdeclaration in SALNs may also lead to forfeiture of ill-gotten or unexplained wealth.