MANILA: The country’s big business and civil society groups have called for mandatory lifestyle checks of all government officials to validate their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
In a collective statement on Thursday (Nov 27), the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines, Justice Reform Initiative and Institute for Solidarity in Asia lamented that without rigorous verification, SALNs would remain “symbolic records rather than effective tools against corruption.”
“Lifestyle audits are much easier to do now with accessible digital footprints that show spending patterns, travel, social media activity and ownership of luxury assets of public officials and their family members,” the groups said. “They are essential to uncover if declared wealth aligns with actual living standards.”
They noted that the Constitution (Article XI, Section 17) already mandates every public official, both elected and appointed, to submit a sworn SALN upon assuming office. Republic Act (RA) No. 6713 further extends SALN requirements to spouses and minor children living in the same household and mandates annual updates.
“The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act imposes penalties, including disqualification and imprisonment, while the Plunder Law punishes with lifetime imprisonment those who amass ill-gotten wealth of at least P50 million (US$850,615), a low benchmark given what we now know,” they said.
Transparency isn’t sufficient
But while the recent Ombudsman decision restoring public access to SALNs is welcome, the groups said transparency alone was “insufficient.”
“Lifestyle audits enable this legal presumption. Discrepancies uncovered through these checks must trigger immediate, impartial investigations and prosecutions under the Ombudsman’s constitutional mandate,” they said.
The collective also called on the public to remain vigilant and report signs of excessive or unexplained wealth among officials.
“The corruption we now see, we cannot unsee. We can no longer allow pilferage to prosper under the cover of pretence, political patronage and public indifference,” the groups said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
