The Akbayan Party, along with civil society and youth leaders, has submitted a letter to the Office of the Ombudsman requesting the release of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) of the president, vice president and other top government officials.The request comes ahead of the November 15 effective date of the new access guidelines.
The group issued the letter following the publication of Memorandum Circular No. 3, series of 2025, on October 31.
In accordance with the Civil Code’s requirement, the memo takes effect 15 days after publication.
The officials whose SALNs were requested by Akbayan include:
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte
Former Ombudsman Samuel Martires
Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Gamaliel Asis Cordoba
COA Commissioner Mario Gonzales Lipana
COA Commissioner Douglas Michael N. Mallillin
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia
Comelec Commissioner Aimee P. Ferolino
Comelec Commissioner Rey E. Bulay
Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand P. Maceda Jr.
Comelec Commissioner Nelson J. Celis
Comelec Commissioner Maria Norina S. Tangaro-Casingal
Comelec Commissioner Noli R. Pipo
Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Marilyn B. Yap
CSC Commissioner Ryan Alvin R. Acosta
CSC Commissioner Luis Meinrado C. Pañgulayan
‘Our request is a test of this government’s seriousness in addressing the massive corruption scandal. We will not accept half-measures,’ said Akbayan President Rafaela David in a statement handed out to the media when the group submitted the letter on Thursday.
‘The Ombudsman must heed the public’s demand for transparency and immediately release the SALNs of the country’s top officials. The greater the power, the greater the demand for transparency and accountability. Our highest officials must be subjected to the highest levels of scrutiny,’ she added.
According to David, SALNs will help the public spot if these top officials have unexplained wealth and if it matches their expected income.
For his part, Clergy for Good Governance convenor Fr. Robert Reyes noted that the public has no idea how much wealth the Marcoses had even during the time of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
‘All of the Marcoses’ ill-gotten wealth is being forgiven by the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman, and the Supreme Court. Why is that?’ Reyes wondered.’Maybe now that their SALNs may be exposed, declarations like that of [Sen.] Chiz Escudero, who is said to be the poorest senator, can be verified. Do you believe that he is the poorest senator? You’ll find out from their SALNs,’ he said.
On October 14, the Office of the Ombudsman lifted restrictions on public access to SALNs filed by government officials.The circular provides guidelines on public access to SALNs. Under Section 3, agency heads are required to collect and submit the SALNs of their personnel to the Ombudsman, along with a summary report, by May 31 every year.
SALNs must be filed with any Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office of the Ombudsman’s central office, any Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Bureau, or sectoral offices.
Members of the public may request SALNs by completing an official form issued by the office, presenting two valid IDs, paying the reproduction or certification fee, and waiting for the offices to review the request.