Ombudsman to permanently keep digital SALNs, physical copies for 20 years

The Office of the Ombudsman will retain digital records of Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) permanently, while physical copies will be kept for 20 years.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano explained that the 20-year retention period for physical SALNs aligns with the prescriptive period for violations under Republic Act 3019.

Digital records, however, will be preserved indefinitely to allow for long-term comparisons of an official's financial standing over time.

This policy change ensures that even SALNs older than 20 years remain accessible for comparative purposes, despite no longer being usable as evidence for crimes.

Previously, under Ombudsman Samuel Martires, SALNs were destroyed after 10 years unless part of an ongoing investigation.