PAMPANGA SOLON BACKS CALL FOR SALN DISCLOSURE

BY KEVIN GALANG

PAMPANGA 1^st district Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has expressed full support for House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III’s call for lawmakers and government officials to publicly disclose their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

According to Lazatin, the move is necessary to help restore public trust in government amid allegations of widespread corruption in infrastructure projects.

“Public office is a public trust. With the recent issues on anomalous infrastructure projects, people have seen an erosion of the public’s confidence in our officials and institutions,” the Pampanga solon said.

Lazatin said that public disclosure of government officials’ SALN is one small step to slowly rebuild trust and confidence.

Dy, the leader of the House who represents Isabela’s 6th district, earlier urged his colleagues to make their SALNs accessible to the public as a measure of transparency and accountability.

The SALN, which all government officials are required to file annually, details assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests, and financial connections. 

It serves as a safeguard against corruption by exposing unexplained wealth and conflicts of interest.

The renewed push for disclosure comes after reports of collusion among legislators, contractors, and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) surfaced.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has since ordered lifestyle checks on government officials, starting with the DPWH.

Lazatin earlier filed a declaration stating he has no business, financial, or pecuniary interests that could affect the ongoing congressional probe into questionable flood-control projects. 

He expressed support for holding those involved accountable.

“As a first-timer congressman, our priority infrastructure projects in the first district of Pampanga are those with long-lasting impact on the total development of our citizens, particularly on education and health,” he said. 

Lazatin stressed that he recognizes the grave responsibility bestowed upon him to promote and protect not self-interest but the interests of the Filipino people.