Starting November 15, the public, including media, can request copies of statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of government officials held by the Office of the Ombudsman. This stems from Memorandum Circular 3 issued by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, restoring public access to these documents. The circular was published on October 31 and takes effect 15 days later.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla issued Memorandum Circular 3, series of 2025, on October 14, effectively overturning former Ombudsman Samuel Martires' Memorandum Circular 1 from 2020. That earlier circular had restricted SALN releases unless the requester had a notarized authorization from the declarant or a court order related to a pending case.
Under the new circular, SALN requests must be filed with the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO) at the central office or the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Bureau (PACPB) at area or sectoral offices. These will be assessed by a processing officer and reviewed by PACPO or PACPB, with potential denials referred to the Office of Legal Affairs.
Section 6(c) states that all requests for SALN copies shall be granted, except in specific cases—such as when the Ombudsman is not the repository, the document is not on file, the request is for unauthorized commercial purposes, the requester has a record of misuse, or it involves harassment, extortion, or threats. Requests may also be denied if the requester's identity is fictitious or the purpose contravenes law, morals, or public policy.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano clarified that MC 3 applies only to SALNs filed with the central office and sectoral offices in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, mandates SALN filing within 30 days of assuming office, annually by April 30, and within 30 days after leaving service. Filing locations vary: the president and vice president's SALNs go to the Ombudsman's central office; senators and congressmen to their chamber secretaries; Supreme Court justices to the Clerk of Court; national executive officials to the Office of the President; regional and local officials to regional deputy ombudsmen; Armed Forces officers from colonel or naval captain rank to the Office of the President, and below to regional deputy ombudsmen; and others under RA 3019 to the Civil Service Commission.
In response to calls for transparency, several senators and congressmen recently released their 2024 SALNs to the media.