Negros Occ governor opens SALN as Marcos orders lifestyle checks

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is ready to make public his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) in line with calls for greater government transparency.

“It is an open book for anyone to access,” Lacson said, adding that the media may secure copies of his SALNs and report on them.

He explained that elected officials are already required to file their SALNs annually, saying, “We have already submitted our assets and liabilities, so as far as that is concerned, it is an open book for elected officials.”

Lacson’s statement followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for lifestyle checks on government officials, beginning with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which faces scrutiny over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.

“It has been ongoing since I’m in an elected position,” the governor said when asked about his own transparency practices.

On the suspension of DPWH projects, Lacson said he was unsure whether it applied to national or local government-funded initiatives.

“Well, that’s the call of the national government to suspend all biddings. I understand the new secretary wants to really review all the biddings about to be entered by DPWH. If they ask for two weeks, let’s give it to them. On the part of the locally funded, we will continue,” he said.

Lacson noted there is “very little collaboration” between the provincial government and DPWH, saying he is not familiar with its officials.

On proposals to lower the age requirements for candidates running for president, vice president, and senators, Lacson said the decision rests with voters.

“It’s really up to the people who will elect them,” he said, adding, “To lower the age by 5 years… age is just a number, so for as long as the constitutional convention will be specific on that, that’s okay, but there is always the likelihood that other matters will be included. So as to lowering the age, I don’t mind.”

The so-called Young Guns bloc in the House of Representatives recently filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 2, seeking to reduce the minimum age for presidential and vice-presidential candidates from 40 to 35, and for senatorial candidates from 35 to 30.

The resolution was authored by Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V of La Union and Jay Khonghun of Zambales, Deputy Majority Leaders Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Rodge Gutierrez of 1-Rider, and Representatives Lordan Suan of Cagayan de Oro and Eduardo Rama of Cebu.

Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javi Benitez expressed support for constitutional amendments, posting on Facebook, “If we want better leaders, we need better rules.”