(Eagle News)–The Palace on Monday, Feb. 4, slammed a House resolution that requires the approval of the plenary–or over 200 congressmen—before a congressman’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth is released.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that “while the executive does not intrude into the internal rules and procedures adopted” by the legislature, House Resolution No. 2467 “may be perceived as a transgression of Article XI of the Constitution, requiring any public official to submit a SALN.”
He noted Article II of the Constitution, after all, “guarantees the right of the people to information on matters of public concern,” with Republic Act No. 6713 making the “said document readily available to the public.”
He said the Duterte administration also espouses transparency, noting that the President issued Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on the Freedom of Information “making effective the people’s right to information within its branch.”
“Any stringent measure which burdens the people in obtaining public information may not be consistent with transparency and accountability of public officials,” Panelo said.
Over the weekend, House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro defended the resolution, which has been passed on second reading in the House, saying it would actually allow easier access to the SALNs as there would be a deadline within which to release them.
He added if a congressman–whose consent is required for the document to be released—does not cooperate, he could be overruled by the committee or the plenary.
