Malacañang said it will not automatically release the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of President Marcos’ Cabinet members, stressing that access will be allowed only through formal requests with legitimate justification.

In an interview, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said unrestricted disclosure of officials’ SALNs could expose sensitive personal information.

“We have no denial of access, but we must control the access,” he said.

He added that anyone seeking copies of Cabinet members’ SALNs must provide a valid reason.

“Our existing rules require any person who wants to access any SALN of any official [to] give a good reason,” he said.

The Executive Secretary said the policy aims to balance transparency with security, noting that SALNs often contain details that could compromise officials’ safety.

“The SALN contains many details that might compromise the security and safety of the public officials concerned,” he said.

“When I was in the Supreme Court, we observed that very carefully because there were so many requests that we felt might compromise safety,” he added, recalling that the judiciary imposed “certain strictures” on requests for justices’ SALNs.

Bersamin said the same caution will apply to Cabinet officials, whom he described as alter egos of the President entitled to a level of privacy and protection.

Bersamin said the Palace will evaluate each request individually, emphasizing that access to SALNs is “not one-size-fits-all.”

“If we are satisfied that you have a legitimate request and your need for the SALN is necessary, we release,” he said.

“But we cannot just allow indiscriminate freedom to access these SALNs,” he added.

Bersamin said journalists, researchers, or citizens may request SALNs, but they must explain their purpose in writing.

“Media outlets, for example, should justify why they need it. If it’s just to check details of someone’s life, that’s not the intent of the law,” he said.

The former Supreme Court Chief Justice warned that the misuse of SALNs for political or personal attacks could discourage qualified individuals from joining government service.

“We do not like the SALN to be a weapon because that will deter service in the public sector,” he said.

He added that legitimate requests—such as those from the Ombudsman or investigating authorities in connection with pending cases—will be accommodated, often with necessary redactions to protect privacy.

Despite this, Bersamin said it will be up to individual Cabinet members to decide whether to voluntarily release their SALNs to the public.

“If you release voluntarily, that’s good. But we cannot say, ‘Because others did it, we must do it too.’ That’s not possible. Hindi pwede yung one-size-fits-all,” he said.

He also explained that Cabinet secretaries submit their SALNs to the Office of the Executive Secretary, while the President and Vice President file theirs with the Office of the Ombudsman. Requests for copies must therefore be addressed to the appropriate office and accompanied by a written justification.

Bersamin’s statements came after Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier confirmed that Cabinet members would meet to discuss the possible voluntary release of their SALNs following renewed public interest in government transparency.

President Marcos had earlier said he would follow the Ombudsman’s existing rules on the public release of SALNs. Under the Constitution, public officials are required to declare their assets and liabilities annually.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that President Marcos remains ready to provide his SALN to the proper authority under the Ombudsman’s rules.

“Unang-una nagsalita na po ang Pangulo at siya po ay handa naman pong ibigay at ipakita ang kanyang SALN sa proper authority (The President has spoken and he is ready to give his SALN to the proper authority),” she told reporters on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Malaysia.

She explained that the Ombudsman has issued specific guidelines on access requests, which the Executive Branch will follow.

“Meron naman pong rules or procedure na inilahad ang Ombudsman at sinabi rito na lahat ng request for SALN ay pagbibigyan, pero may certain guidelines po na ibinigay ang Ombudsman. Ang Ehekutibo po ay tutugon dito (The Ombudsman has laid out rules and procedures stating that all SALN requests will be granted, but there are certain guidelines to follow. The Executive will comply with those),” she said.

Castro also confirmed that Cabinet members had an informal meeting to discuss the matter. She said Marcos’ Cabinet will likewise comply with rules that the Ombudsman had laid down regarding SALNs.