Ex-Lanao Sur town mayor faces rap for failure to file SALN

Map of Lanao del Sur with Bubong highlighted (Photo By Mike Gonzalez (TheCoffee) – English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — Former Bubong, Lanao del Sur Mayor Usoph Munder is facing one count of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” for his failure to file his 2008 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

Records showed that a certification was issued by Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao stating that the respondent has no 2008 SALN on file.

In his defense, Munder argued that he filed his SALN, but all the records in the municipal hall were destroyed by Typhoon “Sendong.”

Likewise, the Ombudsman reminded public officials that “by the yearly and mandatory SALN, the public are able to monitor movement in the fortune of a public official; it is a valid check and balance mechanism to verify undisclosed properties and wealth and the means to achieve the policy of accountability of all public officers and employees in the government.”

Republic Act No. 6713 obligates public officials and employees to declare under oath their assets, liabilities, net worth, business interest, and financial connections, including those of their spouse and unmarried children under 18 years of age, living in their households.

This obligation is complied through the accomplishment of a SALN, which shall be filed with the chief or head of the Personnel/Administrative Division or Unit/Human Resource Management Office within 30 days after assumption of office; on or before April 30 of every year thereafter; and within 30 days after separation from the service.

In this case, the chief or head shall then transmit all original copies of the respondent’s SALN to Ombudsman-Mindanao.