Press Release
July 4, 2019

De Lima's measure to plug loopholes in SALN Law

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has filed a measure addressing the loopholes in the filing of Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) to make it more effective in eradicating corruption and promoting transparency in the government service.

In her Senate Bill No. 186 or the Comprehensive Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth Act of 2019, De Lima wants to incorporate certain provisions of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees to iron out ambiguities in the law.

"Despite the body of existing rules and regulations regarding the filing of the SALN, there seems to be a lot of loopholes as to the interpretation of the law, thus resulting to the inconsistencies in compliance," said De Lima, adding that some issues were raised during the quo warranto proceedings against former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

During the said proceedings, the lady Senator from Bicol added that the issue of whether R.A. No. 6713 similarly requires covered employees to mandatorily keep copies of filed SALNs throughout their career.

"This amendatory bill seeks to fill in the legislative loopholes and to essentially repeal and replace the three governing provisions in the current law," said De Lima, an anti-corruption advocate during her watch as secretary of Department of Justice.

De Lima's measure defines who are the covered public officials and employees and enumerates and highlights all legal obligations of parties concerned in the filing and record keeping of SALNs.

The bill also mandates the identification of instances when a SALN needs to be filed and when should it be reckoned and the keeping of electronic copies or e-copies of SALNs.

It also provides for a schedule when notices should be given to a non-compliant public officer or employee and increase corresponding penalties in case of a violation of the law.

SB No. 186 is one of the first 10 measures De Lima filed in the 18th Congress. Other measures include (1) the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, (2) National Commission on Disability Affairs Bill,(3) the Criminal Investigation Bill, (4) Prison Reform Bill, (5) Unified Corrections and Jail Management Bill, (6) Amended Commission on Human Rights Charter, (7) Magna Carta for Day Care Workers, (8) Qualified Reclusion Perpetua Bill, and (9) Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers Bill.

News Latest News Feed