Robredo: Stricter rules for SALN deter transparency
[BISErbisyong LENI – Episode 91]In today’s episode, Magdalo Party-List Representative, Gary Alejano, and Atty. Chel Diokno, both running under the Oposisyon Koalisyon senatorial slate joins Vice President Leni Robredo and Ka Ely Saludar in discussing issues relevant to our nation today. This includes the recent bombing in Jolo and Zambaonga,the passage of the Magna Carta of the Poor and the Medical Marijuana Bill. Today’s #IstoryaNgPagasa guest is INP FEU Champion Rhussell Famy, the founder of Project Pinta which launched on May 26, 2017 in Tondo, Manila. Rhussell provided kids with plain white t-shirts and paints, and made them paint their dreams and aspirations on their shirts so that they will be reminded to keep reaching for their dreams whenever they wear them. Since the launch, the organization has been to four communities in Manila and has received the Young SDG Champion Award in the 2018 National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC).Learn more about his story and stay updated with VP Leni’s activities by tuning in to RMN-DZXL 558 kHz or watching live here on Facebook every Sunday at 9am for BISErbisyong Leni. Contact Biserbisyong Leni at 09088985364 or 09158985364.
Posted by VP Leni Robredo on Saturday, February 2, 2019
MANILA, Philippines — Stricter rules in getting a copy of the statements of assets, liabilities, net worth (SALNs) of members of the House of Representatives are a blow in efforts to ensure transparency in government, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Sunday.
“Bakit kailangang may itago?…Parang lalong binabawasan ang pagtitiwala ng tao sa kanila. Kaya sana mabago pa dahil malaking, malaking dagok na naman iyon sa mga initiatives natin for transparency and accountability,” Robredo said in “BISErbisyong Leni,” her weekly radio show aired over AM station DZXL.
[Why should they hide it?… It’s like they’re further weakening the trust of people in them. I hope this could be change because it’s a big blow to our initiatives for transparency and accountability.]
Robredo called the stricter requirements to get SALNs “unjust.”
“Para gawan ng exemption, ginawang mas istrikto para sa mga members ng Kongreso. Hindi iyon makatarungan, kasi gusto bang sabihin mas espesyal sila kaysa sa ibang mga public servants?” she said. “Gusto bang sabihin mas kailangan silang ma-protect kumpara sa ordinaryong naninilbihan sa pamahalaan?”
[To make exemptions, they made it stricter for members of Congress. That’s not just because. Are they trying to say that they’re more special than other public servants? Are they trying to say that they need to have more protection than ordinary employees in government?]
Last Jan. 31, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution providing new rules on releasing public documents.
The resolution will require a plenary approval — that is, the approval of the of the 292 district and party-list representatives — before any SALN could be released.
READ: Request for solons’ SALNs may soon need House plenary approval
The resolution also requires many submissions from the requesting party, even members of the media, such as “proof under oath of media affiliation, and media accreditation as a legitimate media practitioner.” /atm
