MANILA, Philippines – The delicate balance between government transparency and the security of its high-ranking officials has been thrust into the national spotlight following remarks by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin regarding the public release of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of the President and Cabinet members.
Bersamin, a former Supreme Court chief justice and the most senior member of the Marcos Cabinet, emphasized that while the 1987 Constitution deems the SALN a public document, its release must be strictly controlled and limited to “legitimate” purposes to prevent its misuse.
The ‘Weaponization’ of Public Documents
Speaking to reporters following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s departure to Malaysia, Bersamin stressed that granting “indiscriminate freedom to access these SALNs” is unacceptable due to the sensitive nature of the information contained within.
“You must all take note that SALN contains details that may compromise the security, safety of the public officials concerned,” Bersamin stated.
His primary concern is the potential for the document to be “weaponized” against officials, arguing that such an environment would actively “deter the service to the public sector.” For the Cabinet, this concern is amplified, as he noted: “You must not ever forget that Cabinet secretaries are the alter-egos of the President. They are entitled to a level of security and privacy.”
Bersamin maintained that the Palace is not seeking to deny access but to “control the access,” requiring that all requests be formal and serve a legitimate purpose, such as those related to active court proceedings. This stance reflects a cautious approach to transparency, prioritizing the safety and security of public servants.
🏛️ The Presidential Stance and Cabinet Deliberation
Bersamin’s statement comes amidst a renewed push for government accountability, driven by President Marcos Jr. himself. Earlier on October 15, the President publicly committed to making his own SALN available to anyone who required it, specifically mentioning the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is currently investigating anomalies in flood control projects.
The President likewise stated he would “enjoin his Cabinet members to follow his lead” regarding their SALNs. This presidential directive prompted an internal discussion among the Cabinet. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro had earlier announced a possible meeting, which Bersamin confirmed would proceed as an “informal meeting” focused solely on the SALN release policy.
The Ombudsman’s Reversal of Policy
The Cabinet’s internal deliberation coincides with a significant shift in policy at the Office of the Ombudsman, the primary repository for the SALNs of the highest officials.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla issued a new memorandum circular that lifts key restrictions on public access. This new policy is a reversal of the 2020 circular issued by his predecessor, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who had severely restricted access by requiring the SALN owner’s personal consent for disclosure, among other limitations.
Remulla’s New Guidelines: Transparency with Redaction
While Remulla’s memo removes the most significant barrier—the required consent of the SALN owner—it is not a “free-for-all” policy. To balance public interest with privacy and security, the new guidelines stipulate that:
The SALN will only be released based on a justified request.
The released copy will redact sensitive personal information, such as complete home addresses, signatures, and the names and birth details of minor children.
This measured approach from the Ombudsman contrasts with Bersamin’s explicit demand for a “legitimate” purpose for the release, indicating a potential divergence in the implementation of transparency policies between the Executive Branch (for the Cabinet) and the independent anti-graft body.