Civil society groups ask for SALNs of Marcos Jr., Duterte, Martires

Civil society groups, including Akbayan, Tindig Pilipinas, Buhay ang People Power Network, and Clergy for Good Governance, have requested copies of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, former ombudsman Samuel Martires, and heads of constitutional commissions.

This request follows Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla's issuance of Memorandum Circular 3, which removes the requirement for consent to access SALNs starting November 15, repealing former ombudsman Martires' 2020 directive that restricted access.

Akbayan president Rafaela David stated that the request is a test of the government's seriousness in addressing corruption and that the Ombudsman must heed the public's demand for transparency.

The groups advocate for the public release of SALNs as a crucial tool for transparency and good governance, aiming to identify potential red flags such as unexplained or undeclared wealth.

President Marcos Jr. has previously expressed willingness to make his SALN public, while Vice President Duterte had questioned the timing of the new access orders.

The groups are encouraging other Filipinos to file similar requests to government agencies to demonstrate the public's demand for accountability.