Marilyn Cahatol

If chosen as Ombudsman, Remulla vows to overturn Martires’ circular on SALN

Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla attends the Committee on Foreign Relations motu proprio hearing on March 20, 2025, on the involvement and the roles of the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Police Organization, and the various government agencies in the arrest of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Remulla maintains that the government will not cooperate and is not cooperating with the ICC in its investigation on the crime against humanity allegedly committed during Duterte administration’s war against drug. Handout, Senate PRIB

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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/175679344646120250320remula-crispin-senate-PRIB1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla attends the Committee on Foreign Relations motu proprio hearing on March 20, 2025, on the involvement and the roles of the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Police Organization, and the various government agencies in the arrest of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Remulla maintains that the government will not cooperate and is not cooperating with the ICC in its investigation on the crime against humanity allegedly committed during Duterte administration’s war against drug. Handout, Senate PRIB "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla attends the Committee on Foreign Relations motu proprio hearing on March 20, 2025, on the involvement and the roles of the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Police Organization, and the various government agencies in the arrest of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Remulla maintains that the government will not cooperate and is not cooperating with the ICC in its investigation on the crime against humanity allegedly committed during Duterte administration’s war against drug. <em>Handout, Senate PRIB </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday agreed Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of officials should be more accessible to the public but said this should not be used for vilification or blackmail.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/29/marcos-ready-for-lifestyle-check-including-saln-disclosure-1222">Marcos ready for lifestyle check, including SALN disclosure</a></div><p>In a chance interview at the sidelines of the Judicial and Bar Council’s panel interviews, Remulla, who is applying for the Ombudsman post, said individuals with this information “should be careful.”</p><p>“Basta yung taong humingi ng SALN should write a letter of what the intention is. I think that&#x27;s the most important thing. It should not be used for vilification purposes. It should not be used for blackmail,” Remulla told reporters.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/29/remulla-suggests-including-officials-kin-in-lifestyle-checks-2359">Remulla suggests including officials&#x27; kin in lifestyle checks</a></div><p>“The problem here is people can be kidnapped if you reveal what is there. But it can be done if it is an investigative report, if it is something that&#x27;s being done by government agencies, it can be done,” he added.</p><p>But Remulla said there should be safeguards present, such as redacting some information to protect the families of those involved.</p><p>Asked if he would make this accessible to the media, the official answered in the affirmative.</p><p>Remulla also noted he would issue a memorandum reversing former Ombudsman Samuel Martires’ Memorandum Circular No. 1 issued in 2021 if he gets the post.</p><p>“That will happen when I’m there already, If I get (the post),” he said.</p><p>Martires’ memorandum circular limited access to SALNs only to the public official who filed the SALN or his/her authorized representative, a court which issued a lawful order or the Ombudsman’s field investigation units, bureaus or offices.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/28/candidates-for-ombudsman-open-to-review-strict-rules-on-saln-disclosures-1412">Candidates for Ombudsman open to review strict rules on SALN disclosures</a></div><p>In other instances, the memo said, a notarized letter of authority from the public official is required.</p><p>Martires, according to veteran journalist Malou Mangahas, was the first Ombudsman to restrict access to SALNs and to threaten jail time against those who would comment on SALNs.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/1/solons-from-house-s-reform-bloc-release-saln-2155">Solons from House’s reform bloc release SALNs</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oHl3nLyhb88?si=xj0hgpCRBj5DTHOD" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday agreed Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of officials should be more accessible to the public but said this should not be used for vilification or blackmail.</p>

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday agreed Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of officials should be more accessible to the public but said this should not be used for vilification or blackmail.