SALN deadline today

ALL government officials and employees in Cebu have until today to submit their respective Statements of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) to the Visayas-Ombudsman.

But they don’t have to use the revised SALN form which mandates them to declare their personal and family expenses like food, clothing, phone bills, electricity, water, tuition, toiletries, and laundry soaps, among others.

In a memorandum, Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairman Francisco Duque III deferred the use of the revised SALN pending review of issues raised by various sectors and entities.

“The 1994 SALN form shall be used for the year 2011, the deadline of filing of which is on April 30, 2012. However, those who filed the SALN for 2011 using the new form are deemed to have complied (with the requirement),” Duque said.

The Visayas-Ombudsman received Duque’s order and will require SALN forms from local government officials and employees, except district representatives who shall file their respective SALNs to Congress.

The 1994 SALN form requires government officials and employees to declare all their assets which include real properties, acquired properties, cash on hand, loans, mortgages, business interest and financial connections, among others.

On the other hand, the revised SALN form mandates government officials and employees to enumerate specific details which include family expenses and recreation.

Duque said the CSC received several requests for deferment from groups like the Philippine Government Employees Association and the Local Government Mechanical Engineers’ Association of the Philippines.

Also seeking deferment were the Asian Labor Network on International and Financial Institutions/Philippine Chapter and the National Convention of Government Employees Working Council.

The Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation of the House of Representatives also passed Resolution No. 2199, requesting the CSC to study the legality of the revised SALN form.

The Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganizations headed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV told the CSC that the revised SALN form has “possible constitutional infirmity, illegality, and/or impracticality.”

Duque said while the commission maintains that the revised SALN form is based on existing laws, it has agreed to review the issues involved.

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.

RA 3019 also includes the net worth of the spouses of public officials as well as unmarried children under 18 years of age who are living in their households.

Asst. Ombudsman in the Visayas Virginia Palanca-Santiago said government officials and employees who fail to submit their annual SALN or stated false items in the documents will face charges. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol