Government workers have until Monday to submit SALN

CEBU, Philippines — Civil servants in the country have two days left to file their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has reminded all government officials and employees to file their respective SALN for the year 2017 on or before the April 30 deadline.

Those who fail will be held liable for violating Section 8 of Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).

Morales likewise reminded government officials and employees to be truthful in filling up the SALN.

Failure to disclose, misdeclaration of any asset, liability, business interest, financial connection, and relative in the government in his or her SALN is also punishable under RA 6713.

“Failure to file the SALN or dishonesty in doing so, warrants the suspension of one to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from service for the second offense which, when warranted, may also lead to forfeiture of ill-gotten or unexplained wealth,” read the press statement.

Carpio said the submission of SALNs is also both “a constitutional and statutory obligation of every public servant.”

Ombudsman Circular No. 2 series of 2017 requires the Human Resource Management Office of each covered agency and instrumentality of the government to submit to the anti-graft body the electronic copies together with the hard copies of the SALNs on or before June 30.

The SALN submitted before the anti-graft office, Morales said, has been an “effective investigatory and discovery measure in determining ill-gotten wealth” of those who were in the government service.

SALN is a declaration under oath of assets (i.e. land, houses, cash, etc), liabilities (i.e. personal or institutional loans), and the business and financial interest, of a government official, spouse, and unmarried children under 18 years old still living in the household.

Under the law, government officials and employees are also required to file their SALNs within 30 days after assumption of office and 30 days after separation from the service.

However, those who serve in an honorary capacity, laborers and casual or temporary workers are exempted from the filing.  — KBQ (FREEMAN)