THE Ombudsman-Visayas questioned last week some discrepancies in Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) that she submitted recently.
Asst. Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago said Radaza’s entries under the real properties category were erased with liquid paper ink, raising questions on whether or not she owns any buildings or real properties.
Radaza didn’t mention her nephew Harry, a Lapu-Lapu City councilor as a relative.
All public officials are required to list in their SALN to identify their relatives working in government up to the fourth degree of consanguinity.
In an interview, Santiago declined to elaborate on Radaza’s SALN but said they can investigate whether or not Radaza has erred or made lapses in filing her SALN.
Radaza’s SALN showed that she made an annual income of P1,895,000 as mayor. As of Dec. 31, 2010, Radaza has a net worth of P3.7 million.
Radaza’s wealth comes from personal properties she disclosed in her SALN.
These include a Toyota Hilux worth P850,000; furniture and appliances at P1.9 million, and jewelry at P950,000.
The mayor didn’t list any real properties. She also didn’t incur liabilities
The net worth or actual wealth presents the official’s total asset, minus total liabilities.
Radaza said she is connected with AR Craftline Manufacturing Co. located in barangay Humayhumay, Lapu-Lapu City.
She said she and her husband Arturo are partners in the manufacturing business.
Rep. Arturo Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City’s lone district also submitted a joint SALN with his wife Paz before the Ombudsman-Visayas.
As a congressman, Radaza is required to submit his SALN with the Lower House.
But since his SALN included his wife Paz, a copy of the document was received by the anti-graft office.
In their joint SALN, Arturo and Paz stated their total assets at P15.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2010.
The couple listed as real properties a building in Lapu-Lapu City worth P3 million.
They also claimed to own a lot with a current market value of P848,960. Arturo and Paz also listed several personal properties in their joint SALN.
These include a Toyota Praxe worth P2.7 million; Toyota Hi-Ace at P200,000, one Toyota Hilux at P850,000; furniture (P1.0 million); two multicabs at P113,000; furniture and appliances at P650,000; and jewelry at P1.6 million.
The couple didn’t list any liabilities. Like Paz’s SALN, the joint SALN of the couple also didn’t include Councilor Harry Radaza as a relative working in government.
The signature in their joint SALN is the same found in Paz’s SALN, but Santiago didn’t state whose signature appeared in both documents.
Public officials are required to submit their SALNs under Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Government officials and employees who fail to submit their annual SALN or stated false items in the documents will face charges of perjury for mis-declaring their wealth in their SALNs.
The anti-graft office deemed the submission of SALN a requirement to monitor an official’s net worth and determine if a government official’s lifestyle does not exceed his income.
All SALNs filed with the Ombudsman shall be available to the public. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reportere public. /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter