Palace: Government executives should file SALNs

Palace said on Sunday that all government executives as well as President Aquino must state all their assets, regardless of total, in their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that it is the responsibility of a public executive to state all his or her assets in his or her SALN.

Lacierda said,"We hold no other opinion other than what we have stated."

He said that an asset is an asset; a dollar deposit is an asset. The only people making that distinction are the defense panel(of Chief Justice Renato Corona).

The presidential spokesman added, "I think it's an obligation, a responsibility, to declare all dollar deposits."

Lacierda said that the word "Obligation" applies to all officials, from Aquino to Vice President Jejomar Binay and down the line , Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Corona, to senators, members of the House of Representatives, Cabinet members.

The SALNs of government officials has to be filed every April 30 of the year, and state all of their assets and liabilities if there are any, to show evidence that they have not improved themselves while in public office. — ARA