‘SC issue on SALN shouldn’t be cause of conflict with Malacañang’

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—It shouldn’t be a cause of conflict between the two branches of government, Malacañang said of the Supreme Court’s refusal to release the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) of its justices to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“I don’t see any reason why mag-aaway kami tungkol dito (I don’t see any reason why we should fight about it),” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a Palace briefing.

The high court on Tuesday denied the BIR’s appeal to gain access to the said documents on the basis that the law does not authorize a “fishing expedition.”

“Because fraud is never presumed and must be alleged and proven, the Court found it incredulous that the BIR seems to imply that all the justices of the high court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals are being investigated for tax fraud,” the SC said in its decision.

The BIR has been seeking copies of the SALNs as part of its investigation on tax fraud. Lacierda said although it has yet to read the decision and the motion, the Supreme Court seemed to have already complied with transparency requirements.

Lacierda pointed out that the Supreme Court has already furnished a media group with the SALN of its justices.

“All I can say is let the public decide. As far as the executive branch is concerned, we have released our SALNs. Supreme Court may have a reason for not releasing it to (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares,” he said.

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