Vice President Leni Robredo expressed disbelief that the Office of Ombudsman, whose mandate is to investigate public officials involved in corruption, is restricting access to their Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN) and will run after those who comment about it.



During her Sunday radio show, Robredo said it was “unbelievable” that Ombudsman Samuel Martires wants jail term for individuals who make commentaries on public officials’ SALNs.

The Ombudsman is mandated to act promptly on complaints filed against government officials or employees and enforce their administrative, civil and criminal liability in every case where the evidence warrants.

“Pero ngayon parang ang role tuloy with the statement na binigay, siya ‘yung ngipin ng administration para balikan ‘yung nagki-criticize sa pamahalaan. Sobrang baliktad sa mandato ng opisina niya (but now the role of it with his statement, it seems to become the teeth of administration to run after those who criticize the government. It is against his office’s mandate),” Robredo said.

“Bakit parang nagiging personal tuloy ‘yung pag-defend, parang nagiging private lawyer (Why does it look like the way he’s defending is personal, as if he’s a private lawyer)?,” she asked.

Robredo was reacting to Martires’ plan to propose an amendment on Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which will penalize people making commentaries on the SALNs of public officials. The penalty will be an imprisonment of five years.

READ: Ombudsman wants SALN of president, other officials published but there's a catch...

Martires said he was ready to be removed from office instead of yielding to the public’s request to make available the SALN of President Duterte and other public officials.

He cited Memorandum Circular No. 1 that he signed in September last year. This has restricted public access to SALN except for official or duly authorized representative, for court order in relation to a pending case, and for the Office of the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office for the purpose of conducting fact-finding investigation.

The vice president said that the Ombudsman’s refusal to release the SALNs would only add to the public’s mistrust to the government.

“Nakakalimutan kung bakit kami required mag-SALN. Kung public official ka na wala namang tinatago, walang problema kung ikaw mismo ‘yung maglabas (It is being forgotten why we are required to have SALN. If you’re a public official who is not hiding anything, there’s no problem if you would release it),” she said.

As public officials, Robredo explained it is “part of the deal” to be placed under scrutiny when they entered the government.

READ: Duterte can file a case against wrongful use of his SALN — former Ombudsman Morales