House leader assures critics of new SALN rule that it will not be abused
Published Feb 3, 2019 04:36 pm
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Majority Leader and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro appealed Sunday to critics of the Lower Chamber's new rules on Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) not to prejudge the members of the Review and Compliance Committee, who will decide on whether or not the request for the lawmakers' SALN copies would be valid or not.
House Majority Leader and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro (CONGRESS / MANILA BULLETIN)
He said the members of the committee will not in any way allow themselves "to be exploited," following concerns that they might bar the release of SALN copies to protect their fellow lawmakers.
"I don't think that they will allow themselves to be exploited just to protect, what you said, brother or sister. That is a prejudgment. Let us observe them kung paano nila i-comply ang kanilang obligation kung mayroong situation na ganyan," Castro said in a radio interview.
He disclosed that Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, Leyte Rep. Yedda Romualdez, TUCP partylist Rep. Democrito Mendoza and Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso were part of the panel.
Castro said the same procedure will be followed if the requesting party seeks the SALN copies of the members of the review committee.
"The procedure is the same. If I were a member of the review committee, I will have to inhibit myself kung may question," he said.
Last Wednesday, the Lower Chamber approved House Resolution 2467, which tasked the Review Committee to evaluate whether the request for the SALN copies of lawmakers would be approved. The resolution also provides that a majority of over 200 members of the House should affirm the panel's approval in the plenary session.
In justifying HR 2467, Castro reminded that, in any exercise of a right, there is also a corresponding responsibility to it.
"While you enjoy the right to secure a copy of a SALN of the members or employees of the House of Representatives, ay kailangang may responsibilidad ka din na proteksyunan ang safety, security of these people," he pointed out.
Castro said the resolution seeks to protect the House members from imposters, syndicates, blackmailers, extortionists and other unscrupulous individuals.
"Baka naman ang taong ito ay impostor na nagsasabi siya na media pero actually ito palang tao ito ay lumabas na kaanib o kasangkot sa mga krimen na nangyayari sa ating bansa. Baka miyembro siya ng terrorist organization, miyembro siya ng sindikato, isa siyang blackmailer, isa siyang extortionist, isa siyang estapador o isa siyang miyembro ng para sa demolition job na binabayaran during election time. Kaya kailangan magkaroon tayo ng proper identification," he pointed out.
The House leader said the House members may decide to approve or reject the request for the release of his/her SALN.
Once a request is turned down by the concerned House member or official, the Review and Compliance Committee will subject the application to vetting and make its recommendation to the plenary.
Under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employes, the Senate and the Lower House are mandated to form an RCC to ensure compliance to procedures relating to the filing of SALN.
The law also provides the imposition of fees to applicants requesting for SALN copies.
According to Castro, the committee or the plenary has the authority to overrule the decision of a non-cooperative solon but not those who are willing to share their SALN.
Under the resolution, within 20 days after the last day of filing of SALN, the media will have to be given copies of the summary, the House leader explained.
"HR 2467 remains faithful to the principle of transparency. Accountability will have to be guaranteed by both the public and the SALN filers," Castro stressed.
House Majority Leader and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro (CONGRESS / MANILA BULLETIN)
He said the members of the committee will not in any way allow themselves "to be exploited," following concerns that they might bar the release of SALN copies to protect their fellow lawmakers.
"I don't think that they will allow themselves to be exploited just to protect, what you said, brother or sister. That is a prejudgment. Let us observe them kung paano nila i-comply ang kanilang obligation kung mayroong situation na ganyan," Castro said in a radio interview.
He disclosed that Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, Leyte Rep. Yedda Romualdez, TUCP partylist Rep. Democrito Mendoza and Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso were part of the panel.
Castro said the same procedure will be followed if the requesting party seeks the SALN copies of the members of the review committee.
"The procedure is the same. If I were a member of the review committee, I will have to inhibit myself kung may question," he said.
Last Wednesday, the Lower Chamber approved House Resolution 2467, which tasked the Review Committee to evaluate whether the request for the SALN copies of lawmakers would be approved. The resolution also provides that a majority of over 200 members of the House should affirm the panel's approval in the plenary session.
In justifying HR 2467, Castro reminded that, in any exercise of a right, there is also a corresponding responsibility to it.
"While you enjoy the right to secure a copy of a SALN of the members or employees of the House of Representatives, ay kailangang may responsibilidad ka din na proteksyunan ang safety, security of these people," he pointed out.
Castro said the resolution seeks to protect the House members from imposters, syndicates, blackmailers, extortionists and other unscrupulous individuals.
"Baka naman ang taong ito ay impostor na nagsasabi siya na media pero actually ito palang tao ito ay lumabas na kaanib o kasangkot sa mga krimen na nangyayari sa ating bansa. Baka miyembro siya ng terrorist organization, miyembro siya ng sindikato, isa siyang blackmailer, isa siyang extortionist, isa siyang estapador o isa siyang miyembro ng para sa demolition job na binabayaran during election time. Kaya kailangan magkaroon tayo ng proper identification," he pointed out.
The House leader said the House members may decide to approve or reject the request for the release of his/her SALN.
Once a request is turned down by the concerned House member or official, the Review and Compliance Committee will subject the application to vetting and make its recommendation to the plenary.
Under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employes, the Senate and the Lower House are mandated to form an RCC to ensure compliance to procedures relating to the filing of SALN.
The law also provides the imposition of fees to applicants requesting for SALN copies.
According to Castro, the committee or the plenary has the authority to overrule the decision of a non-cooperative solon but not those who are willing to share their SALN.
Under the resolution, within 20 days after the last day of filing of SALN, the media will have to be given copies of the summary, the House leader explained.
"HR 2467 remains faithful to the principle of transparency. Accountability will have to be guaranteed by both the public and the SALN filers," Castro stressed.