This carries out clearly the Ombudsman’s mandate as the anti-corruption champion—to protect the public interest and to promote the common good—not the personal interests of the powers that be.

Hindi naman talaga dapat itinatago at pahirapan ang pagsasapubliko ng SALN. That’s why, along with our fellow Liberal Party (LP) lawmakers in the House of Representatives, we are pushing for the mandatory disclosure of the SALNs of all public officials, including the President, Vice President, and other high-ranking officials, as part of our proposed People’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. This measure must be urgently passed to strengthen our fight for transparency and accountability. Given the magnitude and depth of corruption in the country, this should have been enacted long ago.

We must do better and demand stronger policies in the fight against corruption. Make it work for the people. Make it work with the people.