REPRESENTATIVE Chel Diokno has lauded Ombudsman Remulla’s recent pronouncement regarding the memo on Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), calling it a “long-overdue correction” to a policy that had previously weakened transparency and accountability in government. Diokno emphasized that the Ombudsman’s office must prioritize serving the people, not those in positions of power.
Diokno argued that restricting public access to SALNs made it easier for corrupt officials to conceal their ill-gotten gains. “Kapag bukas sa publiko ang SALN, nagiging mas mahirap pagtakpan ang ninakaw ng mga tiwali,” Diokno stated, highlighting the importance of public scrutiny in deterring corruption.
The lawmaker urged all public servants to embrace transparency by opening their SALNs to the public and working to restore the public’s trust in government officials. Diokno’s statement reflects a growing call for greater accountability and transparency in the Philippines, with many advocating for increased access to information as a crucial tool in combating corruption.
