PJ’s SALN: A closer look

As the campaign period for local positions starts, you will hear nothing from young and old politicians from old political clans the oft-repeated line that “I shall continue or finish the projects started by my grandparents/parents/sisters/brothers”.  On the other hand, neophytes in the political arena normally espouse change and adherence to the very essence of public office. 

Indeed, since time immemorial, our great forefathers have been broaching the oft-repeated maxim “a public office is a public trust”.   Though a worthy maxim to speak and impart about, it is seemingly losing its true meaning today.  Worst, to a certain extent, it has diminished its value and relevance. 

Undeniably, being a public servant is still the most coveted of all.  Whether this shall be a lowly rank and file position or the highest elective position in the land, the proponent either patiently waits for his time or spends an unimaginable amount to get it.  Honestly obtained or not, however, once they get their desired positions, they all forget the responsibilities and obligations inherent to it. Deliberately, they ignore their primordial obligation to inform the public factually and truthfully on how taxpayers’ money was spent.   They neglected the sacred obligation to be transparent.  They are unmindful of that age-old adage that a public office requires that supreme obligation of public accountability.   

Thus, in trying to pursue the very essence of public accountability, “Section 17, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution requires public officers and employees to submit upon assumption to office and during such period as may be required by law, a declaration under oath of their assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN)”. 

In business parlance or in accountants’ jargon, this is referred to as balance sheet or a statement of financial condition.  To non-accountants or non-business people, both names of financial statements are not easy to comprehend.  Thus, the underlying wisdom why this is called plainly and straightforwardly as Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth or SALN isn’t difficult to decipher.  They used a term that not only means the same but is giving public servants the easiest instructions possible on how to comply.  Simply put, it simply tells a person, to make a list of his assets (properties) with assigned costs/values, then put in the same SALN as to whether these assets are coming from his earnings/savings (which will be the net worth) or if a portion of these are borrowed or purchased on account (or on credit) then he has to indicate such amount as liabilities.  Indeed, it is very self-explanatory.

Today, the very essence of public accountability is brought to fore.  This is primarily due to private citizen Roberto Letaba’s request to the Ombudsman-Visayas “to conduct a lifestyle check on Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district after photos surfaced of the congressman’s mansion in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City”.

Undeniably, Rep. Pablo John’s (PJ) SALN revealed that in 2008 the residential house was acquired for P900,000 in cash.  Same cost was carried until 2010.  In 2011, it abruptly went up to a whooping P10,400,000, still, in cash.  Surprisingly though (despite the sudden increase in 2011 by P9,500,000), it still showed that it was fully acquired in 2008.   What happened in between (2009-2010) is nothing short of a miracle. 

Moreover, while he alleged to have borrowed an equivalent amount from a financial institution to finance his house’s construction and have shown such fact in his SALN, the same SALN never indicated the name/s of the creditors he obtained the loan, as required.  That, in fact, leaves a huge doubt on its validity.  Rightly so, because such situation might indicate that a liability was falsely booked to show a supposedly lesser net worth. 

All these scenarios are compelling reasons why public servants are to fully disclose what they personally have and what they personally owe.  The public simply needs full, factual and fair accounting of their money.  After all, they are your bosses. 

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