Senator Robin Padilla has expressed his willingness to make his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) public.
In a letter sent to the Senate Secretary on Wednesday, October 15, Padilla stated that he is voluntarily granting permission for the full disclosure of his SALN.
“Ako po ay sumusulat sa inyo upang ipahayag ang aking kusang-loob na pagbibigay ng waiver o pahintulot sa anumang aksyon o proseso kaugnay ang full disclosure ng aking SALN alinsunod sa umiiral na batas tulad ng RA No. 10173 o Data Privacy Act, iba pang patakaran at alituntunin ng pamahalaan,” Padilla wrote.
He added that his decision aligns with the constitutional principle that public service must be anchored on transparency and accountability.
“Ako ay nakikiisa sa diwa ng ganap na pagpapahayag at katapatan batay sa prinsipyo na ‘Public office is a public trust’ na nakasaad sa ating Saligang Batas,” he added.
The senator’s statement comes shortly after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla reaffirmed that the SALNs of public officials should be made public but emphasized the need to observe proper procedures.
“Dapat lang! Pero mayro’n tayong Data Privacy Law, mayro’n tayong pag-iingatan. Wala tayong karapatang ma-ta-trample upon. Kaya maglalagay tayo ng guidelines sa pagre-release ng SALN,” Remulla said.