Top Sulu political clan indicted for SALN violations

Members of a political clan in Sulu are set to face criminal charges at the Sandiganbayan for their failure to file their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

This as the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the filing of criminal charges against Sulu vice governor Abdusakur Tan, his son Maimbung municipal mayor Samier Tan, and former Lugus municipal mayor Al-Zhudurie Asmadun for their failure to file their SALNs.

In a seven-page resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the prosecution to file five counts of violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or Republic Act 6713 against the vice governor for his failure to file his SALNs from 2007 to 2011.

Mayor Tan meanwhile was indicted on two counts for his alleged non-filing of SALNs for 2010 and 2011. Asmadun was also indicted for five counts for failing to file his SALN from 2010 to 2014

“Wherefore, there exists probable cause to indict respondent Abdusakur M. Tan of five counts of violations of Section 8, RA 6713; respondent Samier Abubakar Tan of two counts of the same provision; and respondent Al Zhudurie L. Asmadun of five counts of violation of the said provision. Let information(s) for such crime be filed in the appropriate court,” the Ombudsman said in its resolution.

Meanwhile, the criminal complaint against Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan II was dismissed for lack of probable cause, especially because his filing of an unverified SALN for 2013 and 2014 was deemed by the Ombudsman as an administrative lapse.

He is the son of the vice governor.

But Morales ordered the Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao to investigate Governor Tan’s alleged ill-gotten wealth following a “dramatic increase” in his declared cash in bank from P1,868,133 in 2013 to P31,866,366.33.

“With regard to his ill-gotten wealth, since there is no sufficient evidence presented as to the source of the increase in his cash in bank in 2014, the same is best referred to the OMB-Min Field Investigation Unit for further investigation,” Morales said.

Earlier, the Ombudsman suspended the respondents for their administrative offenses involving the truthful filing of SALN, mandated under Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or Republic Act 6713.

READ: Members of top Sulu political clan suspended from office

Incumbent officials Vice Governor Tan, and Mayor Tan were suspended for six months. Meanwhile, former mayor Asmadun who is separated from service was penalized with a fine equivalent to his salary for six months.

Meanwhile, Governor Tan was suspended for one month over simple neglect for failing to execute his 2013 and 2014 SALN under oath.

Under Section 8 of the Code of Conduct, all public officials and employees are required to annually file under oath their SALN and a Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial Connections and those of their spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.

Public officials are required to file a truthful SALN on or before April 30 every year. JE/rga