House Speaker Sonny Belmonte at the impeachment court. PHOTO BY RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines鈥擣ollowing the decision of the Senate acting as impeachment court to convict former Chief Justice Renato Corona and coinciding with Senator Francis Escudero鈥檚 challenge to sign a waiver on public officers鈥� bank accounts, the question on truthful declaration of statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) is now focused on the lawmakers.
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. explained they have yet to release all lawmakers鈥� SALNs but maintained that 鈥減ersonally (I) am willing to reveal my SALN.鈥�
He said they would discuss the matter soon, adding they would have to use their best efforts 鈥渇or everyone to do it.鈥�
Belmonte pointed out that lawmakers will not be forced to sign unconditional waivers on their bank accounts, emphasizing it was up to them whether they would sign or not.
Making public their SALNs was however no big feat for the House prosecution team, its lead prosecutor Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr. said.
SALNs of the House of Representatives鈥� members have long been sought by the media after the document was highlighted in Corona鈥檚 impeachment trial.
The former chief justice鈥檚 failure to declare his $2.4 million and P80-million bank deposits in his SALN in the end led to his dismissal from the Supreme Court.