Meaning of SALN law is plain, says one of its authors

This is a reaction to the editorial, “SALN stonewalling” (12/17/19). I coauthored and sponsored the bill on the floor, all the way to a bicameral conference committee, of what became Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

We came up with its Sec. 8(C) on accessibility.

There we stated that all statements of assets liabilities and net worth (SALNs) “shall be made available for inspection at reasonable hours,” for “copying or reproduction,” with the requesting party liable only for “the cost of reproduction… and certification.”

The law’s meaning is plain to me, the product of our best efforts at clarity. Tested in court though, I run the risk of being told by a petrified court, “that is not what you meant, Mr. Saguisag.”

The lack of openness and transparency natcherly spawns speculations on what is being hidden from the sunlight.

R.A.V. SAGUISAG, Palanan, Makati City