Ombudsman warns SALN nonfilers of stiff penalties

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Thursday reminded all government officials and workers to file their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) on or before the April 30 deadline, warning of stiff penalties should they fail to do so.

In a statement, Morales described the filing of SALN as “both a constitutional and statutory obligation of every public servant such that failure to do so warrants the imposition of a concomitant administrative penalty.”

She added: “Failure to file the SALN or dishonesty in doing so, warrants the suspension of one to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from service for the second offense which, when warranted, may also lead to forfeiture of ill-gotten or unexplained wealth,” Morales said. —DJ YAP