CSC reminds government officials, workers of SALN

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

CSC is making an early announcement so that government workers will have enough time to review their properties, liabilities and financial connections to ensure that they are 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 the 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.

 This is pursuant to Republic Act No. 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

 The agency 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 December 31, 2015.

The CSC said the 2015 version of the SALN form should be used which can easily be downloaded from the CSC’s website at www.csc.gov.ph. The new version includes the exact location of their real properties.

 Government officials and employees may refer to CSC Memorandum Circular No. 3, s. 2015 for the complete list of repository agencies for SALNs. Aside from misdeclaration, non-filing of SALN is also a criminal offense which has been the subject of many cases filed at the Office of the Ombudsman.

 Failure of an official or employee to submit SALN is a violation of Section 8 of R.A. No.6713 which is punishable by suspension of one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6) months for the first offense, and dismissal from the service for the second offense.— (FREEMAN)