CSC: Deadline for filing of SALN on April 30

MANILA, Philippines - The Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded incumbent public officials and employees yesterday of the April 30, 2011 deadline to file their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).

CSC Chair Francisco Duque III said he is making an early announcement so that government workers will have enough time to review their properties, liabilities and financial connections and thus, be able to provide detailed and accurate information.

The SALN is a comprehensive record of assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests and financial connections, including those of his or her spouse and unmarried children below 18 years old. It also includes names of relatives in government up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity.

“Let us remember that the SALN is accomplished under oath, which means all information that you indicate therein should be complete and accurate. Falsification of information or underdeclaration may be subject to disciplinary or criminal action under Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” Duque said.

He stressed that it is the sworn duty of every civil servant to declare his or her financial status as “a reminder that public office is a public trust, that we should use our positions to serve the interest of the country and not our personal interest.”

The CSC said that the SALN to be filed on or before April 30 should reflect accurate financial and other information as of Dec. 31, 2010.

The CSC said the 1994 version of the SALN form should be used which can easily be downloaded from the CSC’s website at www.csc.gov.ph.

Aside from misdeclaration, non-filing of a SALN is also a criminal offense which has been the subject of many cases filed at the Office of the Ombudsman.