The atrocious proposal to put behind bars anyone who makes public comments on the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of government officials has met more opposition as four business groups voiced the opinion that it violates freedom of speech and would affect investments in the country.
“We oppose the proposal to criminalize commenting on SALNs of government officials, because it would violate our freedom of speech, a pillar of our democracy. We have libel and slander laws to deal with abuse of free speech. We do not need another law,” the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Integrity Initiative, Judicial Reform Initiative and Makati Business Club said in a joint statement.
“We also oppose the proposal because the SALN is part of a system of laws and institutions designed to promote integrity. The ombudsman is part of that system and should be the first to insist on transparency,” the groups added.
In a hearing at the House of Representatives last week, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said he wants Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees amended through the imposition of stringent penalties or a five-year jail term for those who make public comments on SALNs.
While our elected representatives whose SALNs have been fiercely protected by the ombudsman have remained mostly silent, the groups echoed the sentiment of Filipinos frustrated by still rampant corruption within government when they say integrity is critical to society and the country’s leaders should be setting the tone.
From a business perspective, the groups said integrity and good governance are important in attracting investments that would create jobs in the country. They want to know they have a fair chance to succeed, which would come from not having competitors who are willing to resort to bribery to get an unfair edge.
The ability to access, scrutinize and comment on the SALNs of government officials makes it easier to root out the corrupt. The Duterte government officials who love to say “Those who have done nothing wrong, should have nothing to fear” when they embark on arbitrary crackdowns should be joining the groups of concerned citizens in opposing the Martires proposal to criminalize public comments on SALNs.*
