‘House SALN restrictions may be unconstitutional’

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives’ new rules on accessing its members’ statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) may violate the Constitution and are not in line with efforts to promote transparency, Malacañang said yesterday. 

The chamber recently adopted House Resolution 2467, which states that plenary approval is needed to access a lawmaker’s SALN. Under the resolution, requesting parties need to pay P300 for each copy of the SALN and disclose the purpose for making the request. 

“Such procedure may be perceived as a transgression of Article XI of the Constitution, requiring any public official to submit a SALN in relation to Article II thereof, which guarantees the right of the people to information on matters of public concern,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“Any stringent measure, which burdens the people in obtaining public information may not be consistent with transparency and accountability of public officials,” he added. 

Panelo noted that under the Constitution, the SALNs of people in government should be open to the public. He noted that the Charter contains a provision highlighting the accountability of public officials.

“We hope the House deliberates more on this because it may be running the risk of being questioned later on,” he said.

Despite Malacañang reservations about the SALN rules of the House, Panelo said the executive branch would not stop the chamber from implementing them. He said taxpayers may question the legality of the procedures before the court.  

Panelo noted that President Duterte issued Executive Order 2 on the freedom of information (FOI) to make the SALNs of officials in the executive branch available to the public and to promote transparency. 

The move of the House of Representatives to impose stricter rules on the disclosure of lawmakers’ SALN is a step backward in the fight for transparency in government, Vice President Leni Robredo said.

Robredo emphasized that the SALN allows the public to know public officials better.

“For them to make an exemption, where stricter rules will apply in the release of SALN of House members is unfair,” she said.

“Does that mean that congressmen should be more protected compared to ordinary public servants? Why do they have to hide it,” she said.

The House recently adopted a resolution that requires plenary approval before a lawmaker’s SALN may be accessed by the public, including the media.

“I hope they will change it because this is a major setback in our efforts to have transparency and accountability in government,” the Vice President said. – With Helen Flores