Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday said he agrees that all candidates, including President Duterte, should make his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) known to the public.
Sotto also said he also believes that all candidates in next year’s elections should also undergo drug testing.
But the Senate leader acknowledge that undergoing drug testing is not recognized under the present circumstances and candidates cannot be compelled to do so.
“It has to be voluntary perhaps, or it’s up to the candidates. However, we should know that candidates who don’t want to submit their SALNs are not trustworthy,” Sotto said in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.
Asked if he believes Duterte should make his SALN up for public scrutiny, Sotto said yes.
“Yes, I think so. He is the President. The people expect transparency in their leaders,” he said.
On the other hand, he said, candidates should voluntarily undergo drug testing, pointing out he submits himself to one each time he runs for an elective position.
Sotto recalled that the Supreme Court struck down a provision in the original Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002 that he authored that mandates all candidates to undergo drug testing .
The SC struck down the line requiring mandatory drug testing for those seeking public office as it imposes a criteria already provided for under the 1987 Constitution.