Former Mayor Usoph Munder of Bubong, Lanao Del Sur, is facing one count of violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713) for failing to file his 2008 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
R.A. No. 6713 obligates public officials and employees to declare under oath their assets, liabilities, net worth, business interest and financial connections including those of their spouse and unmarried children under 18 years of age, living in their households. This obligation is complied with through the accomplishment of a SALN, which shall be filed with the chief or head of the Personnel/Administrative Division or Unit/Human Resource Management Office within 30 days after assumption of office; on or before 30 April of every year thereafter; and within 30 days after separation from the service. In this case, the chief or head shall then transmit all original copies of the respondent’s SALN to OMB-Mindanao.
Records show that a certification was issued by OMB-Mindanao stating that respondent has no 2008 SALN on file.
As defense, Munder claimed that he filed his SALN, however, all the records in the municipal hall were destroyed by typhoon Sendong.
The Ombudsman reminded public officials that “by the yearly and mandatory SALN, the public are able to monitor movement in the fortune of a public official; it is a valid check and balance mechanism to verify undisclosed properties and wealth and the means to achieve the policy of accountability of all public officers and employees in the government.” ###