Palace: Redacted SALNs open to investigation

MALACAÑANG on Monday said redactions made in the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of Cabinet members can be made available for investigation.

In a press briefing on Monday, Sept. 25, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella sought to explain that the redaction in the SALNs “is due to the fact that some personal private matters cannot be revealed.”

“However, the full disclosure has been made regarding the summarized amounts. And so from there, if indeed there is an investigation that needs to be done, then it can be followed through,” Mr. Abella said.

Malacañang has come under fire following reports over the weekend by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) on the redacted entries in the SALNs of Cabinet officials for which the Palace cited privacy concerns. Among the Cabinet officials with the most redacted items in their SALNs, according to PCIJ, are Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar with 10 redacted items, and Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre and Health Secretary Paulyn B. Ubial with nine redacted items each.

On the other hand, President Rodrigo R. Duterte for his part redacted only his address in his SALN. — Rosemarie A. Zamora