In compliance to RA No. 6713, the Division of Malaybalay City submitted the 2014 Sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) with Summary Report, Forms 1 and 2, and Sworn Certification to the Office of the Ombudsman, Mindanao Regional Office, Kauswagan National Highway, Cagayan de Oro City, April 30. Separate summary report was prepared for newly hired employees who recently assumed office and were taught how to accomplish the SALN at Roberto’s Place, April 23 and 24.
The SALN as stated in Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713 must exhibit information on real and personal belongings, assets such as investments, cash on hand or bank, financial obligations and other business interests and financial connections must be filed by all employees within thirty (30) days upon first assumption to office for new entrants to the government service and on or before April 30, of every year and within thirty days after separation from the service.
The declaration of the SALN under oath is mandated because a public official or employee holds a post vested with public trust which requires him or her to put public interest above his or her own. All public officials and employees are required to render an honest, elaborated and affirmed assertions of their assets, liabilities and net worth, as well as revelation of the business interests and financial connections, with inclusion of those of the partner and children below eighteen years old, regardless of the legitimacy status, living in the household of the person filing the statement. Under Assets, the declarant ought to include real properties, its classification, precise location, appraised and current fair market value, means of acquisition and monetary value as well as improvements made in the property.
Business interests that denote involvement in any business entity aside from the financial gain in the government and financial associations, referring to engagements with any firm with prospect on compensation for services delivered are disclosed as well as the date of acquisition of the interest or connection. Relatives in the government service, up to the fourth degree of consanguinity (blood kinship) or affinity (spouse’s blood relatives) only to the best of the declarant’s cognition, must be stated. The declaration of the SALN should be truthful and the individual filing shall sign on the space allocated below the certification. The signature should be original. All relevant information must be filled up otherwise those details should be marked with “N/A” or “Not Applicable”. (CSC MC No. 3, s. 2013)
SALN compliance is of utmost significance not because it is prescribed but for transparency.