President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will adhere to the guidance of the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the release of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), Malacañang said on Monday.
The Palace’s statement came after Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Representative Leila de Lima urged the President to “demonstrate his sincerity and commitment to transparency and accountability” by making his SALN public and encouraging his Cabinet officials to follow suit.
“Patunayan niyang iba siya sa sinundan nya na galit sa korupsyon kuno pero isinikreto lang ang SALN kasama ng protektor nyang Ombudsman. Hindi pwedeng hanggang salita lang ang paglaban sa korupsyon, ‘yung biglang kambyo at ang dami pang kuskos-balungos sa simpleng paglalabas ng SALN,” de Lima said in a statement.
In response, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the President has no objection to releasing his SALN but will do so through the proper process established by the Ombudsman.
“Wala naman pong pagpigil na ginagawa po ang pangulo pero meron po kasing — nilabas naman din po ang procedure ang Ombudsman at nakikita po natin na ang ginawa naman po na procedure ng Office of the Ombudsman ay mas liberal, mas madali pong ma-access ang SALN ng isang public servant,” Castro said during a press briefing on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, October 27.
She added that the President will comply with whatever the Ombudsman directs.
“Kung ano po ang sinasabi ng Ombudsman, hindi po magpapapigil ang Pangulo. At kung ano po ang sinasabi ng Ombudsman, total nandun naman po ‘yung record ng SALN ng ating Pangulo, so ‘yun lang po ang sasabihin ng Ombudsman,” Castro noted.
Malacañang emphasized that Marcos supports transparency but intends to follow the institutional framework laid out by the Ombudsman to ensure all disclosures are made through lawful and orderly means.