Former senator and Liberal Party member Leila de Lima welcomed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s decision to lift restrictions on public access to the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of government officials, describing it as a “long-overdue step toward transparency and accountability.”
In a statement, De Lima said the Ombudsman’s move fulfills his constitutional duty as the nation’s anti-corruption watchdog.
“We welcome Ombudsman Remulla’s decision to lift the restrictions on public access to the SALNs of government officials. This carries out clearly the Ombudsman’s mandate as the anti-corruption champion—to protect the public interest and to promote the common good, not the personal interests of the powers that be,” De Lima said.
She stressed that the disclosure of SALNs should never have been restricted, noting that access to such documents is essential for public trust and oversight.
“Hindi naman talaga dapat itinatago at pahirapan ang pagsasapubliko ng SALN,” she said.
De Lima added that along with her colleagues in the Liberal Party (LP), they continue to advocate for the mandatory disclosure of the SALNs of all public officials—including the President, Vice President, and other top-ranking officials—under the proposed People’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
“This measure must be urgently passed to strengthen our fight for transparency and accountability. Given the magnitude and depth of corruption in the country, this should have been enacted long ago,” she added.
The former senator underscored that the battle against corruption requires not only policy reforms but also genuine public participation.
“We must do better and demand stronger policies in the fight against corruption. Make it work for the people. Make it work with the people,” De Lima said.
The Office of the Ombudsman recently reopened public access to SALNs through a memorandum circular signed by Remulla, effectively reversing the restrictive policy on the release of such documents that had been in place since 2020.
