If elected, Bongbong willing to release SALN

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is willing to publicly release his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) should he win in the May 9 elections.

During the SMNI presidential debate last Tuesday night, Marcos gave assurance that the release of his SALN would “not be a problem” if elected president.

“On the issue of releasing SALN, for me, that will not be a problem. I just haven’t been submitting SALN for the last six years. But if I’m fortunate to be elected in the coming elections, it’s just natural to submit SALN, and I will release it to the public if it will be asked of me,” he said in Filipino.

“Just for myself and to be clear, if I will again submit my SALN, I will make it public information,” he stressed.

But while Marcos is willing to release his SALN, he maintained his stand that public release of such document should not be mandatory and be left to the discretion of public officials.

“It’s my individual decision. In my opinion, we don’t need to change the law and the decision to release SALN to the public should be left to each official,” he said.

The former senator also expressed reservations when asked by a panelist if he would be willing to disclose the assets of his family members.

“In my opinion, only those required by law to file SALN should have the option of releasing it to the public. When it comes to my family, they’re not public officials, so I don’t think they need to file SALNs,” he said.

In an earlier interview, Marcos had expressed reservations on the public release of his SALN if elected president, saying it could be weaponized for political attacks, and that giving the media access to the document may also be used by political opponents.

Marcos declared a net worth of P211 million in his 2015 SALN – his last before his senatorial term expired in 2016.

Article XI, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution requires all public officers and employees to submit a declaration of their assets, liabilities and net worth under oath.

Drug war

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio has vowed to pursue the war on illegal drugs and the flagship Build Build Build program of her father, President Duterte.

During Carpio’s visit to Isabela province last Tuesday, the chair of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) cited the need to sustain the gains of the two programs of the outgoing administration.

“We must continue with the campaign against illegal drugs because these will destroy the future of our youth. That’s what the UniTeam wants to push for,” she said.

Carpio’s running mate Marcos had earlier vowed to continue the drug war, but he cited the need to refine such policy since the enforcement aspect has reached its peak.

“We must continue to work against the proliferation of drugs in our country. But we must bring our focus more to prevention and eventually cure drug addicts. We have good rehab centers to help them,” Marcos said in an earlier interview.

Carpio also vowed to continue the infrastructure programs of the present administration.

“We will push for the continuation of the Build Build Build program. Through this program, the progress and development of our country will continue for its positive impact on our economy,” she said.

Among the projects implemented under the Build Build Build program were the North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link, NLEX-South Luzon Expressway Connector, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Project and Subic Freeport Expressway Project. – Victor Martin