Marilyn Cahatol

Lawmakers, government leaders, and diplomats listen to the fourth annual State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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SONA 2025

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176137112817620250728-marcos-sona-congress-JC12.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Lawmakers, government leaders, and diplomats listen to the fourth annual State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025.<em> Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – Malacañang on Saturday expressed reservations when it comes to the release of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for Cabinet officials and even President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., saying while this must be done through formal requests, there was still a need to “control” access as this might fall into the wrong hands.</p><p>The President earlier told Palace press officers he was open to making his SALN public, saying he would even enjoin his Cabinet members to do the same.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/15/marcos-jr-says-willing-to-publicize-saln-1621">Marcos Jr. says willing to publicize SALN</a></div><p>Yesterday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet officials would discuss the possible release of their SALNs today.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/24/marcos-cabinet-members-to-discuss-saln-release-on-oct-25-palace-1534">Marcos, Cabinet members to discuss SALN release on Oct. 25: Palace</a></div><p>But in a chance interview, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said there are guidelines to be followed on the release of SALNs, noting that the Palace does not seek “denial” but rather control on who could access it.</p><p>“We cannot just allow the indiscriminate freedom to access these SALNs. You must all take note that the SALN contains many details that might compromise the security, safety of public officials concerned,” Bersamin told reporters.</p><p>“Our existing rules require any person who wants to access any SALN of any official should give a good reason,” he added.</p><p>Bersamin, citing his experience as a Supreme Court magistrate and chief justice, said there were strict rules in place on SALN releases for their personal safety.</p><p>Under the current administration, he said, Cabinet secretaries would have to submit their SALNs to the Executive Secretary and “are entitled for a level of security and privacy.”</p><p>“Delikado din ang buhay ng mga yan. Kung malaman mo kung ilan ang anak, ilan ang bahay niya. Mga address, madali mong puntahan. That is probably going to be the same rule we will adopt dito sa Cabinet secretaries,” he said.</p><p>&quot;Wala namang problema kung legitimate yung rason and we are satisfied that it is for a legitimate reason that a SALN is required to be accessed. Ibibigay namin yan for certain redactions. That is normally done,” he said.</p><p>Bersamin said there are requirements needed for the request, including the details needed and its purpose, which he said should be “legitimate.”</p><p>Pressed as to what constitutes a “legitimate” request for the SALN release, the Palace official said if a person has a pending case and it would only be used for that purpose.</p><p>“We do not want the SALN to be a weapon. That will deter service in the public sector. Ako kapag nakapag-retire na ako at may gustong bumatikos sa akin… the wrong impression is brought against me, how can I defend? Di ko naman kayo kaibigan lahat,” he said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/24/-what-is-in-a-saln-and-how-is-it-used-to-fight-corruption-1208">What is in a SALN, and how is it used to fight corruption?</a></div><p>Bersamin also said he was puzzled as to why media outlets would need a copy of SALNs.</p><p>“Kung just for the heck of getting a copy or access to the SALN of a person they are researching on, you can do it through other means,” he said.</p><p>“Huwag niyo na gamitin ang SALN na paraan para papasok kayo sa detalye ng buhay ng isang — ang objective ng SALN sa Constitution at sa ating mga batas, it is a means of control over the lifestyle of a public servant. Walang SALN na nire-require sa private sector eh,” he said.</p><p>“We also have to protect these applicants for public office because we cannot get quality people without a level of confidentiality extended to their personal details,” he added.</p><p>Pressed further if it was valid that members of the media get copies of SALN to look into the connections of a public official in government and check their properties, Bersamin answered in the affirmative but he raised some points.</p><p>“Pwede siguro yan but you have to justify that in your application. Hindi one-size-fits-all ito. It depends on the situation in which you filed your request. If we are satisfied that you have a legitimate request and your need for the SALN is necessary, we will do it, we will release it,” he said.</p><p>Former Ombudsman Samuel Martires in a 2020 circular required prior written and notarized consent from officials before their SALNs could be released to a requesting party.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/10/ombudsman-remulla-to-issue-memo-reversing-saln-restrictions-1324">Ombudsman Remulla to issue memo reversing SALN restrictions</a></div><p>Amid investigations into alleged corruption in government projects, lawmakers believe relaxing the rules on SALN disclosure is a step in the right direction.</p><p>SALNs would, for example, provide a &quot;baseline determination [of] actual wealth&quot;, which can be compared to an official&#x27;s salary grade and declared income, according to House Infra-Comm Co-Chair Terry Ridon.</p><p>Several lawmakers have already made their SALNs public.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/22/sotto-padilla-release-salns-1822">Sotto, Padilla release SALNs</a></div><p>Last October 15, Marcos Jr. said he is willing to publicize his SALN and will also ask members of his Cabinet to do so as well.</p><p>&quot;My SALN… will be available as available to whoever would like to – kung bigyan – hingiin sa akin ng ICI, eh &#x27;di siyempre ibibigay ko. Kung hingiin sa akin ng Ombudsman, ng ano, ibibigay namin,&quot; he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Een2TuIEg2M?si=X0tiUj7DTApBG2DG" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Malacañang on Saturday expressed reservations when it comes to the release of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for Cabinet officials and even President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., saying while this must be done through formal requests, there was still a need to “control” access.</p>

Malacañang on Saturday expressed reservations when it comes to the release of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) for Cabinet officials and even President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., saying while this must be done through formal requests, there was still a need to “control” access.

Bersamin says there must be 'legitimate reasons' to access SALNs

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Bersamin says there must be 'legitimate reasons' to access SALNs

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 25, 2025 02:15 PM PHT

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SALN

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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