House Deputy Speaker Antipolo 1st district Rep. Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno is batting for fewer legal restrictions on the public's access to government officials' statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).

Puno had this to say as the flood control projects controversy had somewhat mutated into a pursuit of government officials who have a penchamt for flaunting their wealth.

In a press conference at the House of Representatives Friday, Aug. 29, Puno was asked if he favored making the SALNs of public officials more accessible.

The question was premised on the memorandum circular issued by then-Ombudsman Samuel Martires in 2020, which restricted public access of SALNs except to individuals who had the consent of the official who executed the document.

"I do not think there is anything kasi in the law that prevents a SALN document from being given to the public. Kasi (Because) you know it should be a public record," Puno said in his response.

"Why are you going to have a SALN kung (if it will be) confidential? So the purpose of that is to ensure that there is no ill-gotten wealth on the part of anyone)," he explained.

"Kung mayroon sa batas na nagbabawal dyan, tingin ko dapat amyendahin na yan (If there's a law that prohibits that then I think that should be amended)," Puno noted.

"And then since the public office is a public trust, all documents that you submit in order to get into the public office should also be public," he pointed out.

Asked if he thinks the Ombudsman should grant requests for SALNs, Puno said: "I think he should unless there is any law that prevents him from doing it. Baka (Maybe) that is just a policy."

President Marcos had earlier ordered a lifestyle check on executive branch officials. He gave this directive amid an ongoing audit on anomalous or "ghost" flood control projects that allegedly resulted from the collusion of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, contractors, and lawmakers.