SCUTTLEBUTT

The Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) is heralded as the main tool for transparency in government, but over the years critics have said it has become a mere compliance tool.

SALNs instead do not reflect the quality of life of senators and other elected officials. So if there’s a significant difference between the SALN and an official’s lifestyle, it warrants an investigation.

A classic example that has recently caused disbelief is the SALN of Senator Chiz Escudero, supposedly the poorest senator who declared a net worth of P18 million.

His declared wealth contradicts what has gone viral on social media: the gifts he gives his celebrity wife, Heart Evangelista, like a ring on her birthday, prompting people to research its value which is reportedly as much as $1 million.

“If he can give a gift worth $1 million, would anybody believe that he’s only worth P18 million? And then if you look at his declaration of assets, although I think he divided it into six because the properties are co-owned, do you really believe his house is only worth P3 million?” an incredulous UP School of Economics professor Cielo Magno asked.

Since SALNs do not have a digital copy, they are difficult to access. “But imagine if all these documents are digital, the public has access to this information, and then you attach your income tax, then it’s easy to compare data,” Magno pointed out.

Most SALNs are under-declared because officials do not want to reveal their true income while they are in government. But the truth is, as the years go by, one’s wealth is bound to increase one way or another. So what we have is information that’s false.

“I’ve been in government, so I know that you will not be able to afford the lifestyle that we see on social media. Unless you have investments, private businesses, jobs,” Magno said.

“How does the income of those in Congress improve over the years? Is it political donations? But then you have to declare it and it has to be reflected in your SALN. If you have investments, then you can grow your money beyond what you earn from the government. Technically, if you rely solely on your government income, you can’t be a millionaire.” Magno added.

There is also the problem of having to disclose one’s investments, business interests, and relatives in government to prevent conflicts of interest.