List of alleged corrupt solons part of FOI? Then why not release Duterte’s SALN, Gaite asks

Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has questioned why documents on President Rodrigo Duterte’s wealth remain private when Malacañang reasoned out that the Chief Executive’s move to name alleged corrupt officials of Congress stems from the Freedom Of Information (FOI) principle.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said on Tuesday the President should make his State of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) public — in the same manner that he pursued transparency even if some of the House of Representatives solons mentioned in the list were part of the majority.

He was referring to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s earlier pronouncements defending Duterte’s decision to name the lawmakers allegedly involved in corruption even without sufficient evidence, as it was part of the President’s obligations under the FOI.

“Sinasabi ni Presidential Spox Roque na kailangan basahin o i-expose itong mga pangalan ng kapwa ko kinatawan sans any evidence dahil ito ay Freedom of Information. Kaso lang bakit hindi ganyan ang kanilang tindig sa pagsasapubliko ng [SALN] ng pangulo?” Gaite asked.

“Yan ang hirap sa administrasyong ito, they are prosecuting people through trial by publicity, sige ang turo, kaliwa’t kanan, pero if you confront them about their own transparency, marami silang palusot.  If we are going to talk about Freedom of Information, then the Palace should probably take the lead not by naming names but through making public the president’s own records,” he added.

According to Gaite, this would give an impression that Duterte and the executive are not bound by the FOI, as it would only affect those in other branches of the government.

Duterte name-dropped seven incumbent lawmakers and one former congressman before his briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic response on Monday night.  Most of the lawmakers were part of the House majority bloc.

The President clarified, though, that his action of revealing their names on national television should not be taken as a guilty verdict.

Regarding Duterte’s SALN, the President has been quizzed several times on when the SALN would be released, but Malacañang said that they are adhering with Ombudsman guidelines on when SALNs would be released.

Duterte said during his public address on Monday that the names landed on the list and he had no part in crafting it, repeatedly saying that these were complaints made by people.

The incumbent House members are the following:

• Occidental Mindoro Rep. Jospehine Ramirez-Sato
• Quezon City 5th District Rep. Alfred Vargas
• Misamis Occidental 2nd District Rep. Henry Oaminal
• Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza
• Quezon 4th District Rep. Angelina Helen Tan
• ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap
• Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman

Meanwhile, former Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat, a member of the opposition Liberal Party (LP), was also mentioned by Duterte. Sato appears to be an LP member, although she is with the majority.

Gaite however speculated that Duterte’s move is all meant to divert discussions from another pressing issue which is the provision of vaccines to some close-in security officers.

“But maybe this is really not about confronting corruption, but about creating just another distraction. Naiipit na naman sila sa usapin ng VIP Bakuna kaya kailangan nila ng panlihis sa isyu. Corrupt practices ba? Ayan, yang VIP Bakuna, corrupt practice yan, at sa sarili pa nilang bakuran naganap,” he explained.

“Several violations were committed including smuggling and illegal use of unregistered health products. Kahit ‘wag na natin isama yung walang delicadezang pag-prioritize sa Cabinet members kahit ang sinasabi ng sarili nilang guidelines ay dapat unahin ang healthworkers,” he added.

CFC