More details needed for new SALN

CEBU, Philippines - All government officials have been ordered to follow the Revised Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) guidelines for 2011 and the subsequent years.

The revised SALN requires more detailed information of their assets, liabilities and net worth.

All Cebu City officials have been sent notices a month prior to the deadline informing them to start working on their SALNs for 2011 and to submit the same on or before April 30.

They would need sufficient time to complete the revised SALN form because more information are required to be disclosed.

Officials are now compelled to include not just the assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests, financial connections and relatives in the government service but also the amount of their sources of income, amount of personal and family expenses and the amount of income taxes paid for the covered year.

Officials must also disclose the assets, liabilities, net worth, financial connections and business interests of their spouse and unmarried children below 18 years old who are living in the declarant’s household.

In the old SALN, they are only asked about the assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests, financial connections and relatives in the government service.

Spouses may choose to declare jointly or separately.

The revised SALN is in pursuant to Section 7 of the Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act which require the officials to submit a ‘true, detailed and sworn statement of assets, liabilities and details of the officials’ sources of income and taxes paid.

Failure to comply is punishable by suspension of six months for the first offense and dismissal from service for the second offense.

Interestingly, the new requirement came in light of the controversy surrounding the SALN of Chief Justice Renato Corona who is currently facing impeachment. (FREEMAN)