Baronda to release SALN ‘in due time’

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda said she is open to making her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) public, but noted that it will be done “in due time.”

She made the remark on Thursday, Oct. 23, during a People’s Meeting she convened with local and national agencies to tackle flood control issues in Jaro District.

Her statement comes after House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III led by example by releasing his own SALN earlier this week, as part of efforts to promote transparency in the House of Representatives.

Dy’s office on Wednesday shared partially redacted copies of his SALN, showing total assets amounting to PHP 121.1 million and liabilities of around PHP 47.12 million, for a net worth of PHP 74.01 million.

The Speaker also announced the reconstitution of the House SALN Review and Compliance Committee, through a memorandum that took effect immediately.

The committee will be chaired by Deputy Speaker and South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez, with Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor and Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo serving as vice chairpersons.

Other members include TGP party-list Rep. Jose Teves Jr., Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Maria Cristina Angeles, Quezon 1st District Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Barba, and Dinagat Islands Lone District Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.

Dy said the committee will continue to perform its duties under House Memorandum Order No. 17-42 (SPK) and the Rules of Procedure in the Filing, Review, and Disclosure of, and Access to, the SALNs of House members and employees, as adopted under Resolution No. 176 in 2019.

He added that making SALNs available for public inspection has long been a House tradition, one he hopes Congress can fully restore to strengthen transparency and accountability.

As early as September 22, five days after assuming the speakership, Dy had already expressed support for the public release of lawmakers’ SALNs, saying it is key to rebuilding public trust in government institutions.

The renewed focus on SALNs follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive in August 2025 for a lifestyle check starting with officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), after reports of alleged irregularities in certain flood control projects.

Under Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, all government officials are required to file their SALNs annually, but the public release of these documents remains discretionary.