Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is avoiding 'executive overreach' in the release of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) of House lawmakers, particularly those under investigation for alleged links to flood control anomalies, Malaca±ang said Tuesday. 'Iniiwasan po ng Pangulo na magkaroon ng (The President is avoiding) executive overreach,' Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro issued the statement after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed on Monday that he is encountering difficulty securing the SALNs of lawmakers being investigated by the anti-graft body. Remulla, a former congressman, said there is no rule requiring plenary approval for the release of SALNs. He said he would raise the issue with House Speaker Faustino Dy III, after the Office of the Secretary General headed by Cheloy Garafil informed the Office of the Ombudsman that plenary approval is required before copies of lawmakers' SALNs can be released.

While Marcos is pushing for transparency and accountability in government, he also respects the separation of powers, Castro said. 'Maliwanag po na ang gusto po ng Pangulo ay transparency and accountability. Pero may kaniya-kaniya pong rules na sinusunod ang bawat departamento (It is clear that the President wants transparency and accountability, but each branch follows its own set of rules),' she said. 'Mayroon po tayong separation of powers na tinatawag, at kung anuman po ang rules ng House of Representatives or Kongreso patungkol po diyan, iyan po ay iginagalang ng Pangulo (We have what is called the separation of powers, and whatever rules the House of Representatives or Congress has on this matter are respected by the President),' Castro added.

In 2020, the Office of the Ombudsman limited public access to government officials' SALNs by requiring the consent of the statement's owner before a SALN request could be evaluated by the anti-graft body's office. The restriction was lifted, after Remulla issued Memorandum Circular 3 on Oct. 14, 2025, prompting several senators and congressmen to release a copy of their respective SALNs.