Let’s open our bank accounts, SALNs, solon dares colleagues

Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Eli San Fernando challenged members of Congress to sign bank secrecy waivers and to publicly disclose their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), saying that lawmakers must hold themselves to the same standard of accountability they demand from Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial.

“As elected representatives and officials of the country, we are accountable to those who voted for us. And when they have questions for us, we must answer them,” said San Fernando on DAILY TRIBUNE’s The Impeachment Rundown: The Trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday.

One of the House lawmakers who voted to impeach Duterte, San Fernando said his decision was guided by the principle that public officials must be transparent and answer questions about their actions.

He said some of his constituents expected him to oppose the impeachment because of his criticism of the Marcos administration, particularly on labor issues.

But the allegations against Duterte warranted a full impeachment trial, he said.

“The prime opportunity for the Vice President and her camp to clear her name and address the allegations against the OVP is through the impeachment trial,” he said.

San Fernando said many Filipinos were focusing on trivial issues instead of the substance of the proceedings.

“We are all missing the point. The matters being highlighted are trivial. People want answers,” he said.

The public’s main concern, he stressed, should be how taxpayer money is being spent by government officials.

He said many Filipinos view the impeachment process with skepticism because they believe lawmakers demanding accountability from Duterte are unwilling to subject themselves to the same scrutiny.

“I challenge them. Let us all sign bank secrecy waivers and let the public see our bank accounts,” he said.

“Let the public see our SALNs. Not even the majority of congressmen publicize their SALNs. That’s the problem.”