2 ex-Sulu officials charged for SALN violation

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has ordered the filing of charges before the Sandiganbayan against spouses Nur-Ana and Abdulwahid Sahidulla for violating the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees”, and perjury for the misrepresentations in their joint Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for 2009.

Nur-Ana served as the Banguingui, Sulu mayor from 1998 to 2004; Sulu vice governor from 2004 to 2010; and a member of the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2013.

Meanwhile, Abdulwahid served as mayor from 1988 to 1998, and 2004 to 2013.

The probe found that the respondents failed to declare the following properties in their joint SALN:

— Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Strada, and a 1,500-square-meter property in Baliwasan, Zamboanga City.

Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees”, provides that “public officials and employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth and business interests, including those of their spouses. Relatedly, perjury arises when there is a false declaration of material information that is required to be made under oath.”