'HYPOCRITICAL, EVASIVE': Bersamin slammed for withholding Marcos, Cabinet SALN

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin drew sharp criticism and was called “hypocritical” and “evasive” after dodging the disclosure of statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) of President Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet amid the administration’s effort to restore public trust in the government due to rampant corruption.

Opposition lawmaker Eli San Fernando asserted Sunday that Bersamin’s stance on SALN disclosure is a striking contrast to the administration’s commitment to transparency and good governance in the face of allegations of systematic corruption tied to the botched flood control projects.

“You always say that the administration is for transparency, yet the public doesn’t actually see it in practice,” said San Fernando of Kamanggagawa parylist in the vernacular.

“If you want workers and ordinary Filipinos to believe you, release your SALNs. Otherwise, you’re just being cowardly and afraid of public scrutiny,” he went on.

The scathing remarks were triggered by Bersamin’s apparent alibi to withhold Marcos’ and members of the Cabinet’s SALN unless it will be used for “legitimate” purposes.

This is primarily due to concern that it might be weaponized by critics against the “alter-egos of the President,” which may “deter the service to the public sector,” according to Bersamin, the highest-ranking official in the Cabinet.

“They are entitled to a level of security and privacy," Bersamin said over the weekend, referring to Cabinet secretaries. "We cannot just allow the indiscriminate freedom to access these SALNs."

The statement was seen as a retreat from Marcos’ daring assertion almost two weeks ago to release his SALN to any requesting body, including the Office of the Ombudsman and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which is investigating the flood control anomalies.

Several members of the House of Representatives and the Senate have voluntarily released their SALNs following Ombudsman Boying Remulla’s pronouncement to lift the restriction on it, which was enforced by his predecessor, retired Samuel Martires.

But long before Remulla bared such a move, Marcos had already pledged to disclose his SALN as part of his administration’s anti-corruption campaign.

San Fernando contended that Bersamin’s apparent conditions for giving public access to their SALNs pose a “security threat” to the country, and merely deepen suspicions of ongoing corruption.

“Amid these huge anomalies, Malacañang should be an example of transparency. Yet, what we witness now is evasion, excuses, and cover-ups,” the minority solon lamented. “The real threat to the country's security is a government that cannot be truthful with its constituents.”

Furthermore, he reminded the executive that government officials, even from the lowest ranks, are “duty-bound” to declare their assets, and Marcos and his Cabinet are no exception.

Bersamin explained that they will not deny public access to their SALNs, but emphasized that safeguards must be in place.

“There should always be a request,” he said.

Remulla previously claimed that guidelines for a memorandum lifting the resitrictions to SALN of public officials is already underway.

Access to government officials’ SALNs has been restricted since 2020, following the issuance of Memo Circular 1, signed by Martires, notwithstanding Section 8(d) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713).

The provision allows access to government officials’ SALNs as long as it is to “news and communications media for dissemination to the general public.”

Martires’s memorandum, however, required that a SALN would be released only if the official who submitted it provides a notarized letter authorizing its disclosure.

In enforcing the memorandum in September 2020, Martires explained that critics were weaponizing the SALNs to discredit public officials, leading to unfair and wrongful accusations.