Palace opposes stricter rules on release of SALN
Credit to Author: CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT| Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2019 18:10:37 +0000
Malacañang is opposed to the proposal requiring plenary approval for access to the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) of lawmakers, saying it might hinder the people’s constitutional right to information.
Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the resolution passed by the House of Representatives might not be consistent with the government’s policy on transparency.
“We note the passage of a resolution of the House of Representatives requiring plenary approval before it may release a copy of a member’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) to the public. Such a procedure may be perceived as a transgression of Article XI of the Constitution, requiring any public official to submit a SALN, in relation to Article II thereof which guarantees the right of the people to information on matters of public concern. Republic Act No. 6713 makes the said document readily available to the public,” Panelo said in a statement.
“Any stringent measure which burdens the people in obtaining public information may not be consistent with transparency and accountability of public officials,” he added.
The House recently adopted Resolution 2467, which requires plenary approval before a lawmaker’s SALN can be released.
The resolution, authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, also seeks to establish the SALN Review and Compliance Committee that will screen public request for the documents stating the wealth of lawmakers.
It also has a condition that requesting party will be required to pay P300 for every copy of SALN. The resolution also obliges the requesting parties to provide all information about them, the purpose of the request and interest sought to be served and, if applicable, the justification for access to previous SALNs.
Members of the media who wish to secure a copy of the SALN will be required to provide an affidavit of affiliation and certification from the news organization.
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