IN THE KNOW

ALL government employees and officials are required to file a statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) under Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

What are the sanctions?

Failure to submit the SALN or misdeclaration in the SALN constitutes a violation of RA 6713.

Depending on the gravity of the offense, erring employees and officials shall be punished with fine equivalent to not more than six months’ salary or suspension not exceeding one year, or removal from the service.

Violations in the SALN filing is also punishable with imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding P5,000 or both at the discretion of the court.

What is contained in a SALN?

Assets

Disclosure of business interests and financial connections of declarant, his/her spouse and unmarried children under 18 living in their households.

Assets within or outside the Philippines, whether real or personal, whether used in trade or business

Assets refer to declarant’s real and personal properties, including those of his/her spouse and unmarried children below 18 living in his/her household

 Real properties

Properties that are immovable in nature; include residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial and mixed use

Declaration should include description, kind, location, year, mode of acquisition, assessed value, fair market value, acquisition cost of land, building, etc. including improvements

Description of real properties should indicate whether it is land only or land with building, a house and lot, condominium unit, or an improvement such as an extension or garage, and the like

Assessed value: Fair market value of the real property multiplied by the assessment level

Fair market value: Highest price a property can command if put up for sale in an open market. It is based on the tax declaration.

Improvements: All works that are constructed or introduced to the land, or repairs or improvements made to the land or building after its initial acquisition.

Acquisition cost: Money paid to acquire or own something. Also refers to expenses incurred for improvements introduced on a real property.

Personal properties

Include mode, year and cost of acquisition, or the value or amount of said personal properties

Refer to jewelry, appliances, furniture, motor vehicles and other tangible/movable properties. Also include investments or other assets, such as cash on hand or in bank, negotiable instruments, securities, stocks, bonds and the like.

Liabilities

Loans obtained by the official or employee, his or her spouse and unmarried children below 18 living in the household of the official or employee, from banks, financial institutions, the Government Service Insurance System, Pag-Ibig, and the like

How is net worth computed?

Sum of all assets (real and personal) less total liabilities

For real properties, the acquisition cost shall be used in the computation

For personal properties, the acquisition cost or amount/value of money shall be used in the computation. Compiled by Kate Pedroso, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives and CSC