By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – If appointed Ombudsman, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he would allow access to government officials’ statements of assets and liabilities (SALN) as long as it will not be used to harass them.
In a press briefing after his interview with the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Tuesday, Remulla said SALNs should not be “weaponized” against public officials.
“I think that’s the most important thing. The SALN (statement of assets and liabilities) should not be used for vilification purposes. It should not be used for blackmail. The problem here is people can be kidnapped if you reveal what is there, so we have to be careful about this information,” he said.
“But it can be done if it is an investigative report, if it is something that is being done by government agencies, it can be done. We can provide the SALN, basta with the proper safeguards lang kasi (As long as there are proper safeguards because) we also have to protect the people,” Remulla added.
As for proposals to expand lifestyle checks on government workers, Remulla said he will be “guided by public sentiment.”
“I think the community will be the ones to tell us. I think that we can rely on the people of the Philippines to help government in advocating, in enforcing a lifestyle check. Ang taumbayan ang pwede magsabi kung anong nangyayari sa mga paligid nila (Our countrymen will be the ones who can say what is happening around them).”
Meanwhile, the Justice chief said he will formally ask the Ombudsman to rule on the complaint filed against him by Senator Imee Marcos in connection with the arrest and subsequent transfer of former president Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, Netherlands.
“I will be filing a motion to resolve as soon as possible. Trabaho namin yun (It’s our job) to keep the country stable, to prevent violence, to prevent the happening of any untoward acts, and I think we were able to peacefully bring him (Duterte) out abroad to face the charges against him without hurting anybody physically,” he said.
“I think that’s the most important thing. It’s the most peaceful way of doing what has to be done,” he added.
The JBC on Tuesday completed the interviews for the graft-buster post.
Beside Remulla, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chair Felix Reyes, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Jayson Rodenas and retired RTC Judge Benjamin Turgano were the last batch to appear before the constitutional body to talk about their qualifications and competence.
The Office of the Ombudsman is a constitutionally independent body mandated to act promptly on complaints against public officials and to enforce accountability in government service. (PNA)
