Manila: The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday scrutinized a potential gap in the statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) form during the ongoing trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Presiding Officer Francis 'Chiz' Escudero highlighted the absence of a dedicated section for the acquisition cost of business interests.
According to Philippines News Agency, the issue was brought to light on the 25th day of Vice President Duterte's impeachment trial. Senator-judges are currently investigating how business interests, corporate shares, and personal properties should be accurately reflected in SALN declarations. Escudero pointed out that the SALN form lacks a specified space or table for detailing the acquisition cost of business interests, complicating the declaration process for public officials.
Karen Batu, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Ombudsman Central Records Division, supported Escudero's observation. She confirmed that while the SALN form includes fields for the acquisition cost of real and personal properties, it does not extend the same provision to business interests and financial connections. 'For business, Your Honor, there is no indicated acquisition cost,' Batu informed the court.
Escudero emphasized the need for the court to consider the limitations of the current form in evaluating what public officials should disclose. He questioned the prosecution on how officials are expected to document such details when confined to a prescribed format.
House private prosecutor James Bryan Alih argued that stocks, being personal properties, should be recorded with their acquisition costs under the personal property section of the SALN. He asserted that stocks are indeed personal property and should be appropriately listed.
Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros suggested that the ongoing discussions underscore the necessity to revisit and potentially amend the SALN form. Such revisions would aim to facilitate clearer declarations for all government employees.
Batu reiterated that the Ombudsman's central records office functions solely as a repository and does not possess the authority to adjudicate legal conclusions regarding SALN entries. 'I'm not in the position to answer that. As again, the Office of the Ombudsman is merely a repository agency,' she stated.
The court is currently examining allegations of unexplained wealth, with particular focus on SALN entries, corporate interests, and the regulations surrounding the correction and completion of declarations.
