Senators, House members welcome SALN transparency policy

Several senators on Wednesday welcomed the Office of the Ombudsman’s decision to reverse a restrictive policy on the public disclosure of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), calling the move a vital step toward restoring government transparency and public accountability.

The policy reversal, issued by newly installed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, overturned a controversial 2020 order from his predecessor, Samuel Martires, that had required written consent from public officials before their SALNs could be released.

The new directive lifts this restriction for officials whose SALNs are held by the Ombudsman, including the President, Vice President, heads of Constitutional Offices, and local government officials.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he is open to making his SALN public “anytime,” though he noted a consensus among senators is still necessary. Sotto recalled that the Senate previously allowed access to SALNs, subject to individual approval, but with addresses of properties redacted.

He added that the Senate leadership will hold a caucus soon to discuss following the Ombudsman’s updated policy.

Meantime, Senator Risa Hontiveros strongly supported the move, describing the previous restrictions as “unjust, unconstitutional, and anti-people.” She emphasized that public access to SALNs is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution and stressed that citizens have the right to monitor the actions of public officials, especially in matters concerning corruption and unexplained wealth.

Hontiveros added that the new rules should be applied equally to all public officials — past or present, high-ranking or not — with reasonable exceptions for personal or security-related details.

Senator Robinhood Padilla, on the other hand, volunteered to be the first to publicly release his SALN, urging his colleagues to accept what he called a challenge from the new Ombudsman.

“The Senate should accept the challenge of the new Ombudsman. Start with mine,” Padilla said.

Senator Bam Aquino called the policy shift a critical step in normalizing transparency within government institutions.

“This is a good step toward cleaning up our government. Normalizing transparency is crucial. I hope this is just the beginning of the accountability the public has long been demanding,” Aquino said.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pangilinan welcomed the move but prodded Remulla to set an example by disclosing the SALN of his predecessor, Martires, from when he served as a Supreme Court Justice until his resignation as Ombudsman in 2025.

Over at the House of Representatives, minority lawmakers, led by Liberal representative Leila de Lima, on Wednesday welcomed Ombudsman’s decision, calling the reversal a crucial victory for transparency.

De Lima praised Remulla for the policy shift, stating that it reflects an action for the common good rather than the personal interest of anyone in power.

Meanwhile, lawmakers from the minority bloc in Congress echoed De Lima’s sentiment, stating the decision was long overdue. They vowed to closely monitor the policy’s implementation.

ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio noted that the decision of former Ombudsman Samuel Martires to restrict access was a deliberate attempt to shield corrupt officials.