MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Akbayan and civil society groups yesterday requested copies of statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of President Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte, former ombudsman Samuel Martires and heads of constitutional commissions.
“Our request is a test of this government’s seriousness in addressing the massive corruption scandal. We will not accept half measures. The Ombudsman must heed the public’s demand for transparency and immediately release the SALN of the country’s top officials,” Akbayan president Rafaela David said.
Issued by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, Memorandum Circular 3 of 2025 allows public access to SALN starting Nov. 15, repealing Martires’ controversial 2020 directive.
Other groups that requested copies include Tindig Pilipinas, Buhay ang People Power Network and Clergy for Good Governance.
Releasing the SALNs of top state officials “is a first step toward meeting the public’s demand for transparency and accountability after years of secrecy under the previous ombudsman,” they said.
“We call on fellow Filipinos to file similar requests in designated SALN repository agencies. If we are suffering from floods because of corruption, then let us also flood government agencies with our requests. Let them feel the wrath of the people,” David said.
Francis Aquino Dee, convenor of Tindig Pilipinas and Buhay ang People Power, said the actual SALN release will be a “crucial test” for the new ombudsman.
“It is the bare minimum for the public to access SALNs. By making this possible again, Ombudsman Remulla will clear the very low bar set by his predecessor. It remains to be seen whether he’ll meet the Filipino people’s broader demand for accountability,” he said.
Cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries, district officials and public works officials should voluntarily release their SALN, the groups said.
Malacañang, meanwhile, said the President will not hinder the groups’ request.
“The President will not stop that. They can wait for what the ombudsman’s response will be,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday.
Villar’s SALN
Sen. Mark Villar should address concerns raised about his SALN, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said yesterday.
Villar declared over P844 million under the broad category of “other real and personal properties” instead of itemizing these assets, former Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Kim Henares told Bilyonaryo News Channel.
Henares noted an inconsistency in Villar’s SALN and that of his sister, Sen. Camille Villar, who itemized her shareholdings across several family corporations.
“How come you, as her brother, do not reflect similar shareholdings in your declaration?” Henares asked.
“If two shareholdings were itemized separately, then the P844 million appears to represent something else entirely – raising more questions,” she added.
Santos said these questions arise at a time when the Villars are under scrutiny, as real estate developments linked to the family allegedly benefited from anomalous flood control projects.
In August, Santos said the Securities and Exchange Commission fined Villar Land Holdings Corp. and 11 of its officers P12 million for failing to submit audited financial reports for 2024 and the first quarter of this year. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Bella Cariaso