No one can compel SC to release SALN—Escudero

MANILA, Philippines – No one can compel the Supreme Court to release to the public copies of the statement of assets, liabilities and networth (SALN) of its justices and officers and  employees of the  judiciary, a senator said on Thursday.

But the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which is requesting the SALNs of the justices, could still get the documents from other agencies like the Office of the Ombudsman, said administration Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

“No one can. At the end of the day, the only way you can compel someone to do something is if you go and seek your remedy through the courts,” Escudero said when asked if the SC could still be compelled to make the SALNs public after it denied the BIR’s request.

“Yun na nga yun, nag resolution na sila e. Nagsabi na sila, ayaw daw nila,” he pointed out.

(That’s it already, they already issued a resolution. They already said they don’t want to release it.)

“Siguro isang paraan, the remedy of the BIR is to get a copy from the other agencies that it is submitted to like the Office of the Ombudsman.”

(Maybe one way, the remedy of the BIR is to get a copy from the other agencies that it is submitted to like the Office of the Ombudsman.)

Senator Chiz Escudero. ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER

Escudero could not understand, however, the SC’s refusal to make the SALNs public when all government officials and employees have been complying with the requirement of the law.

“Ang sabi naman ng korte talaga, bakit hinihingi nyo sa amin e available naman yan sa ibang mga ahensya ng gobyerno? Hindi ko lang makita yung punto na kung available nga yon sa iba at meron din sila, e di bigay nila. Wala naman akong nakikitang problema dun,” he said.

(The Supreme Court is saying why do you want to get it from us when it’s also available in other agencies of government? I just don’t see their point that if it’s really available in other agencies, then why don’t they just give it? I don’t see any problem there.)

“Kung may concern sila sa security, e di takpan yung address bago ibigay OK pa rin naman yun. Kasi yung ordinaryong teacher, nagsa-submit ng SALN  at pwedeng isapubliko yun e. Bakit naman iba sila?”

(If they have security concerns, then they can just cover their addresses before  they release it, that’s still OK.  Because even ordinary teachers have been submitting their SALNs and make them public. Why make them different?)

“Kami nga ginagawa yun.  Ang Pangulo ginagawa yun e. Bakit naman iba sila…” Escudero further asked.

(We also do that, even the President does that.  Why make them different..?)

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