Release of SC justices’ SALNs cited

Top lawyers on Friday lauded the Supreme Court’s unprecedented release of summaries of the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of its 15 magistrates, calling it a nod to transparency that positively reflects on the quality of the judiciary’s leadership.

For former Commission on Elections Commissioner and now private lawyer Rene Sarmiento, the high court’s decision represents a “robust yes to ethical leadership.”

Sarmiento, among the drafters of the 1987 Constitution, said the move, a “first in judicial history,” sends “a strong message of transparency consistent with the ethical precepts found in the accountability of Public Officers of the 1987 Constitution.”

He hailed the high court for showing “the power of example.”

“…[It] sets a correct example for transparency. On its face, it sends a fine message that even members of the judiciary must not be above the law,” said Edre Olalia, secretary-general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers.

But he said a full disclosure—the release of the detailed SALNs—might be better “so the public can discern.”

The one-page summary released yesterday afternoon showed that Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza was the wealthiest magistrate, with P244.41 million in assets and zero liabilities.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen had the least, with P2 million in assets and nearly P.5 million in liabilities.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno had P19.5 million in assets and more than P574,000 in liabilities.

Sereno yesterday said the high court was looking at possibly releasing SALNs of justices in other courts and judges in other levels of the judiciary.