Jamaine Punzalan

Office of the Ombudsman main building. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

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Office of the Ombudsman

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175636134602920171108-office-ombudsman-main-MD-3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Office of the Ombudsman main building. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File </div><div> </div>MANILA — Former Commission on Audit chairperson and current Philippine Competition Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said Thursday he would order a review of the policies on the release of Statements of Assets and Liabilities to the public, if he were appointed Ombudsman by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. The Judicial and Bar Council started its public interviews for the replacement of retired Ombudsman Samuel Martires with Aguinaldo as the first candidate to be interviewed.“I think there is a need to strike a balance somewhere, the right of the public to know and the limited rights of government employees,” Aguinaldo said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/10/19/20/whats-in-a-saln-anyway">What&#x27;s in a SALN anyway?</a></div>During the time of Martires, the Office of the Ombudsman gave<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/09/15/20/ombudsman-limits-access-to-saln-net-worth-public-officials"> limited access </a>to the media on SALNs of government officials.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/4/bill-seeks-saln-disclosure-for-president-vp-key-officials-1516">Bill seeks SALN disclosure for President, VP, key officials</a></div>Aguinaldo also told the JBC panel that if he were the current Ombudsman, he would look into “low-hanging” fruits such as <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/22/top-provinces-in-terms-of-project-cost-count-based-on-the-sumbong-ng-pangulo-website-2150">ghost flood control projects.</a>“I think those should be looked into right away in the short term of course,” he said.For his part, Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Romeo Benitez vowed to fight corruption based on his experience on the illegal activities in local government units. “I will start an honest, a no nonsense and new version of investigative work leading to prosecution if only for us to help this government rid of perennial problem of corruption,” Benitez said.Benitez said he would “re-tool” the Office of the Ombudsman to address backlogs in cases. “I promise an independent Ombudsman that is free from political influence and possible domination or interferences from officialdom,” Benitez. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/10/19/20/a-citizens-guide-to-where-and-how-to-get-a-saln">A citizen&#x27;s guide to where and how to get a SALN</a></div>Pressed further by the media after his JBC interview, Benitez said he was open to revisit the policy on SALN, as provisions on SALNs in Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials are subject to conditions.“This is one aspect of the law that should be the subject of revisit because this has been susceptible to so many interpretations. One particular official would say that the SALN of every individual or public official should be made public and accessible; some are saying they should not be accessible,” Benitez said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/08/10/23/sc-govt-officials-workers-must-get-chance-to-correct-saln-errors">SC changes SALN law interpretation: Gov&#x27;t workers must get chance to correct errors</a></div>Private law practitiomer Atty. Jonie Caroche-Vestido said in an interview with the media after facing the JBC panel that she would allow transparency as to SALNs of government officials.“Kapag nakaupo ako, in my first month of office, papayagan ko ‘yung pag issue ng SALN. Because that is my advocacy: Transparency, accountability, at justice,” Caroche-Vestido said.The JBC interviews were set from August 28 to September 2.Here is the list of candidates for Ombudsman:<div> </div>1. AGUINALDO, Michael G.2. BENITEZ, Romeo P.3. CAROCHE-VESTIDO, Jonie C.4. CORPIN, Bautista G., Jr.5. CRUZ, Stephen C.6. ECONG, Geraldine Faith A.7. EPRES, Beda A.8. GAERLAN, Samuel H.9. JACINTO-HENARES, Kim S.10. LOGAN, Anna Liza G.11. LOPEZ, Mario V.12. MATIBAG, Melvin A.13. MUSNGI, Michael Frederick L.14. REMULLA, Jesus Crispin C.15. REYES, Felix P.16. RODENAS, Jason G.17. TURGANO, Benjamin

At least two candidates for Ombudsman said they were open to reviewing policies on the release of Statements of Assets and Liabilities to the public.

At least two candidates for Ombudsman said they were open to reviewing policies on the release of Statements of Assets and Liabilities to the public.

Candidates for Ombudsman open to review strict rules on SALN disclosures

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Candidates for Ombudsman open to review strict rules on SALN disclosures

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 28, 2025 02:12 PM PHT

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Updated August 28, 2025 04:14 PM PHT

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