Gov’t officials can correct SALN mistakes, omissions, says Supreme Court

MANILA, Philippines – A recent Supreme Court decision has given government officials an opportunity to correct errors, omissions, and non-submissions in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

In a 16-page decision dated April 18, the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeals verdict that declared Jessie Javier Carlos, a tax specialist of the Department of Finance, guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty in 2014. He was also dismissed for allegedly misdeclaring his assets.

Carlos was also the person behind the attack at the Resorts World Manila in 2017.

In his petition, Carlos alleged that he completed his SALNs in good faith and that he should have been given an opportunity to correct his alleged omissions or mistakes.

The High Court found that the government failed to comply with procedures specified under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Under RA 6713, a committee is responsible for assessing the timely submission, completeness, and accuracy of SALN forms.

If a SALN is submitted late, found incomplete or wrong, the office head has five days to inform the concerned person and ask him to correct it within 30 days. Failure to comply with this could result in disciplinary action.

While providing clarifications in this case, the Supreme Court stressed that it does tolerate the concealment of ill-gotten wealth.

“[N]on-declarations or mis-declarations are innocuous mistakes that do not signal the accumulation of unexplained wealth, though they may signify a degree of carelessness,” the Supreme Court said.

Issues arising from SALNs were instrumental in the removal of two Supreme Court justices: Maria Lourdes Sereno and Renato Corona. – Rappler.com