Maguindanao town mayor faces raps for SALN violations

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of charges against a town mayor in Maguindanao for misdeclaring his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) from 2011 to 2015.

The ombudsman said it found probable cause to indict Talitay Mayor Montaser Sabal for five counts of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. 

Records show Sabal failed to disclose ownership of 13 guns; a Hummer, a Ford Ranger, a Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux, and four businesses in Datu Odin Sinsuat and Talitay towns.  

Graft probers said Sabal also failed to disclose the purchase price of the properties. 

In his defense, Sabal claimed his staff member who filed his SALNs inadvertently omitted his firearms. He said his businesses are small ventures while his vehicles were acquired through loans.

The ombudsman said the law on SALN clearly states that the assets of a public officer and his spouse must be declared.

“There is no mention that… if the value of the property was insignificant or the mode of acquisition was through a loan, the declarant has the option not to disclose,” the ombudsman ruling read.