Release it without blah-blah-blah

By Alex P. Vidal

“We need to keep pressure on our own governments to force more and more transparency.” – Mo Ibrahim

PUBLIC servants worth their salt should not wait for “pressure” from the taxpayers to release their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).

In the first place, it’s not pressure or whatever mixed jargon they might attempt to use as a camouflage or justification for non-compliance.

It is mandated by Republic Act 6713, also known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,

The likes of Bongbong Marcos Jr., Sara Duterte-Carpio, Tito Sotto, and other government officials and employees are required by law to submit a sworn declaration of their assets, liabilities, and net worth, as well as their financial and business interests.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution also requires the submission of SALNs.

They must release the SALNs without waiting for any Tom, Dick, and Harry to cajole them; and please, no more justifications why they can’t and why they are “entitled” to delay if not ignore it.

-o0o-

Delay for a few days fine. But delay for several weeks and even months? And wait until the people will forget?

And they must not give a frivolous and pathetic excuse SALN will be used by their enemies as a rope to tie their necks or simply to “harass” them.

It defies logic or common sense. This line of thinking reeks of evasion and dodging in order to avoid compliance.

Why would someone harass a public servant—elected or appointed—if he is doing his job right and doesn’t steal or enrich himself while in office?

It is through SALN that public officials and government employees can help promote transparency, accountability, and to prevent corruption.

The public has the right to scrutinize their financial situations to check for unexplained wealth, potential conflicts of interest, and to ensure they are not profiting from their government service.

Through public access, media and citizens are allowed to monitor their wealth and hold them accountable for their actions.

-o0o-

SAVING OUR PLANET: Let’s refresh naturally. Instead of chemical plug-in air refreshers, let’s place a few slices of citrus fruit such as lemon or orange in a saucepan, together with a few cloves. Simmer the mixture gently for an hour or so to refresh the smell of our house.

SAVING OUR PLANET: Let’s make our own polish. Most mass-produced polishes contain solvents that are harmful to the environment. Many of them come in aerosol sprays, which are wasteful and contain harmful gases.

SAVING OUR PLANET: Bake off stains. for hard-to-beat, stubborn stains on our kitchen surfaces, let’s dampen a sponge and apply baking powder, then wipe cleans as normal. The abrasive powder will get rid of most stains, but if the mark remains, let’s try re-soaking the stain with a solution of baking powder instead.

SAVING OUR PLANET: Club stains away. To keep fresh stains from sinking deep into clothes, immediately apply a little carbonated water bubbles up the stain and the salts keep the color from sticking. Then wash as normal.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)