Mandatory Lifestyle Checks In Government Urged To Validate SALNs, Curb Corruption
“ Without rigorous verification, (statements of assets, liabilities and net worth) remain symbolic records rather than effective tools against corruption,” the business groups pointed out.
Business groups are pushing for mandatory lifestyle checks on public officials to strengthen accountability and make more effective the use of statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) as tool for combating corruption.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, Nov. 27, the Justice Reform Initiative, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Institute for Solidarity in Asia, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines and the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines said while they welcome the Office of the Ombudsman’s move to restore public access to SALNs, transparency alone is not enough.
“We call for truthful and public submission of SALNs by all government officials and mandatory lifestyle checks to validate these disclosures. Without rigorous verification, SALNs remain symbolic records rather than effective tools against corruption,” the groups said.
The groups said it is now easier to conduct lifestyle audits as spending patterns, travel, social media activity and ownership of luxury assets of public officials and their family members can be tracked through their digital footprint.
“They are essential to uncover if declared wealth aligns with actual living standards,” they said.
Last month, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla lifted restrictions on public access to SALNs, reversing a memorandum issued by his predecessor Samuel Martires.
The lifting of the restrictions is aimed at promoting transparency and preventing corruption and abuse of power.
Both elected and appointed public officials are mandated under the Constitution to submit a sworn SALN upon assuming office. For ranking officials, public disclosure is a must.
Under Republic Act No. 6713, the SALN should include the public officials’ spouses and minor children living in the same household and be updated annually.
There are also penalties including disqualification and imprisonment under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and lifetime imprisonment under the Plunder Law for those who amass ill-gotten wealth of at least P50 million.
Citing RA 1379 or the Forfeiture Law, as confirmed by a recent Supreme Court decision, the business groups said that any property “manifestly out of proportion” to an official’s lawful income is presumed ill-gotten and subject to forfeiture. The groups said the conduct of lifestyle audits enables this legal presumption.
They also said discrepancies uncovered through these audits must immediately lead to impartial investigations and prosecutions under the ombudsman’s constitutional mandate.
Aside from lifestyle checks, the business groups are also calling on the public to remain vigilant and report signs of excessive or unexplained wealth among officials.
“The corruption we now see, we cannot unsee. We can no longer allow pilferage to prosper under the cover of pretense, political patronage and public indifference,” the groups said.
