Memo Issued by Office of Ombudsman Boying Remulla over SALN Access
Ombudsman Boying Remulla restored the access of the public to the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth or SALNs of the officials of the government.
Former Ombudsman Samuel Martires retired in July. For a few weeks, the office was left under the lead of an acting ombudsman while the Judiciary and Bar Council or JBC was still evaluating the applications for the position of the chief-graft buster. There were 17 applicants.
The Judiciary and Bar Council submitted a shortlist of 7 applicants for Ombudsman to President Bongbong Marcos. Then-Justice Secretary Boying Remulla was one of those included in the shortlist submitted by the JBC to Marcos Jr. Not long after the submission of the shortlist, the decision of the President was released.
Marcos Jr. appointed now-Ombudsman Boying Remulla. It earned different reactions from the Filipino people — there were those who approved of it while there were also criticisms against the appointment. According to presidential sister and Senator Imee Marcos, following Remulla’s appointment as Ombudsman, she is now looking after the safety of the life of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
Sen. Marcos previously claimed that she will block Remulla’s appointment for Ombudsman. According to her, the position might allegedly be used against the Vice President or other members of the Duterte family.
Following his appointment, Ombudsman Boying Remulla revealed that he will open and study the complaints filed against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The newly-elected chief graft-buster also claimed that he will lift the restrictions on the public access to the SALNs of the government officials.
Under the lead of former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, the permission of a government official is required before his/her SALN will be opened. Based on a report on PhilStar, the Office of the Ombudsman recently issued a memorandum that reversed the 2020 circular of the former chief graft-buster.
“The public has a legitimate right to know how those in government acquire and manage their wealth. Transparency in this area is not a slogan,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.
Based on the report, following the issuance of the memorandum by the office of Ombudsman Boying Remulla, there is no longer a need for a consent on the part of the government official whose SALN is being requested. The office is the repository of the SALNs of the president, the vice president, the local government officials, and the officers of Constitutional Commissions.
“The Office also calls on all agencies that keep official copies of SALNs — the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the President, Congress, Judiciary, and local government units — to align their practices with this policy. Consistency across institutions is key. Selective transparency only breeds suspicion,” the Assistant Ombudsman said.
Previously, Ombudsman Remulla also claimed that he will reopen the Pharmally case during the Duterte administration.