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Civil Service Commission(CSC) Chairman Francisco T. Duque III convened the Technical Working Group(TWG) on the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) last June20 at the CSC main office in Quezon City.

It was the first of aseries of meetings that aims to review issues and concerns surrounding theSALN. Among the issues discussed by the TWG include the legal bases of theSALN, the need to declare the assets and properties of the filer’s spouse andchildren, and the question of whether the SALN should be comprised of one ortwo forms.

Duque, who heads the TWGon SALN, said, “The CSC came to a realization that there are nuances and gapsin the laws and issuances regarding SALN. Thus, we are now taking the necessarymeasures to review the form that serves as a tool for public accountability andtransparency.”

He added that the SALNreview aims to establish clearer guidelines and to avoid token compliance amongpublic officials and employees.
In attendance during themeeting were Assistant Secretary Michael P. Ong of the Office of thePresidential Legal Counsel, Deputy Executive Secretary Alberto A. Bernardo ofthe Office of the President, Legal Counsel Valentina S. Cruz of the Senate ofthe Philippines, Executive Director Annalou S. Nachura of the House ofRepresentatives Legal Affairs Bureau, Assistant Chief Ma. Carina M. Cunanan ofthe Supreme Court Office of Administrative Services, Assistant CommissionerArcadio B. Cuenco Jr. of the Commission on Audit, Assistant Ombudsman JoselitoP. Fangon of the Office of the Ombudsman, Atty. Wendell P. Bendoval of theDepartment of Justice, Director Joanne Lim of the Department of Finance,Assistant Secretary Amelita D. Castillo of the Department of Budget andManagement, Assistant Secretary Ester A. Aldana of the Department of theInterior and Local Government, Atty. Rica G. Pineda of the PhilippineGovernment Employees Association, and Abdulani Lakibul of the Confederation ofIndependent Unions.

As the lead agency forthe implementation of the SALN, the CSC issued a revised SALN form and set ofguidelines in July 2011 by virtue of CSC Resolution No. 1100902. The revisedform was set to replace the 1994 SALN form and required a listing of othersources of income (derived from the practice of a profession or business) and income taxes paid the previous year, and amounts of one’s personal andfamily expenses.

However, in March ofthis year, the CSC deferred the use of the revised SALN form in the wake ofseveral requests for deferment from various government groups including publicsector unions/confederations. Thus, the CSC ordered the use of the 1994 SALNform for filing of assets for year 2011.

Section 17, Article XIof the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates any public officer to declareunder oath his/her assets, liabilities, and net worth. This requirement of theConstitution is supported and reiterated by laws such as Executive Order No.292, Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, Republic ActNo. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Republic Act No. 6713or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials andEmployees.