Lapid questions SALN’s accuracy during Sara Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — The truthfulness of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) filed by public officials was questioned on Tuesday as Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial focused on her SALN declarations.

At the witness stand was Ombudsman Records Division officer-in-charge Karen Batu, who was presented by the prosecution team in relation to allegations that Duterte had amassed unexplained wealth and had failed not only to disclose all her and husband’s net worth, but also to divest  all her business  interests.

Citing a lawyer’s interview on television, Senator-judge  Lito Lapid asked the witness whether it was indeed true that no pubic official submits a truthful SALN.

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READ: WATCH: Lapid seeks clarification on non-filing of SALN

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“Ang sabi nya’y,  ewan  ko lang po kugn tama ito: ‘Walang pulitiko o magsa submit  ng Saln na nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno na totoo.’ Ang sabi nya,  isang kalokohan yan kung magsasabi sila ng totoo. Tama po ba yun?” Lapid then asked Batu.

(“He said—and I’m not sure if this is correct—that no politician or government employee submits a truthful SALN. He said it would be foolish for them to tell the truth. Is that correct?)

The question was followed a few laughs inside the Senate session hall where the impeachment trial of the vice president  is being held.

In response, the witness said: “Ako po nagsa-submit po ako ng totoong  Saln.” 

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(“I submit a truthful Saln)

“Hindi joke yan ha?” Lapid asked, before thanking the witness. 

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(That’s not  a joke, right?)

Before this,  the senator  stressed the importance of  filing the Saln, bot noted that many people may not yet be familiar with it.

“Alam nyo po sa tagal ng discussion natin, maraming nakikinig na mga  kababayan natin na hindi naiintidihan ang Saln—yung magsasaka, mga tricycle driver, mga mangingisda. Dicussion tayo ng discussion dito, hindi natin alam,”  he said.

(“You know, after all this discussion, many of our fellow Filipinos who are listening may not understand what a Saln is—farmers, tricycle drivers, fishermen. We keep discussing it here, but they may not even know what we’re talking about.)

Lapid then added, “Para po malaman ng ating mga  kababayan  na ang Saln ay masyadong mabigat  sa amin lalong lalo na po kung hindi po  kami nagdekalra ng tama.” 

(“So our fellow Filipinos would understand that filing a SALN carries a significant burden for us, particularly when we fail to make accurate declarations.)

The witness explained that filing of Saln is mandated  under Republic Act No. 6713, known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. 

Failure to submit the Saln is a violation of the law, Batu stressed, still  answering a question from Lapid. /mr

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NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generate