The SALN ruling

Kudos to columnist Andrew J. Masigan for his column entitled “Whose side is the ombudsman on?” in The Philippine Star’s issue of September 30, 2020.

It massively demolishes the argument put up by Ombudsman Samuel Martires’ circular stating that SALNs will only be issued if: a) the person requesting it is the government official himself; b) there is a court order in relation to a pending case; c) the request was made by the ombudsman’s office.

Mr. Masigan finds it “unsettling that the ombudsman is seemingly making it easier for corrupt officials to escape detection and dodge higher courts...” and that the “ombudsman is maneuvering the law to weaken our stance against corruption...”

He concludes that the said rulings “give the impression that the personalities in this administration have something to hide.

“Certainly, he has raised doubts as to whether the anti-graft campaign of government is sincere or a farce.”

Justice Martires ought to give the subject circular a second look in light of the very compelling objections raised by Mr. Masigan. – Nicolas C. Aliño, Cebu City