49 policemen asked to explain failure to submit SALNs

Police personnel get ready for deployment in the different areas of Cebu province during the elections last May. (CDN FILE PHOTO)

AT least 49 policemen from the Philippine National Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) will be asked to explain their failure to submit their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth (SALN).

The around 7,000 policemen in Central Visayas were given up to April 1 this year to submit their SALNs, but 49 policemen have failed to do so up to this time, said Supt. Henry Biñas, head of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of PRO-7.

“If they can’t give justifiable reasons, we will charge them administratively, and they may be suspended,” he said during the Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis Forum at the PRO-7 Media Center yesterday.

Public officials and employees are required to submit their SALNs under Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Government officials and employees who fail to submit their annual SALNs or stated false items in the documents will face administrative or criminal charges.

The anti-graft office deemed the submission of SALN a requirement to monitor an official’s net worth and determine if a government official’s lifestyle does not exceed his income.

The SALNs of all police officers will be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman but at the same time will be used by PRO-7 to conduct a lifestyle check on policemen, said Biñas.

He said some of those who failed to submit their SALNs asked PRO-7 to give them the chance to comply with the requirement.

“As of now, we are evaluating their reasons if they are indeed justifiable and acceptable,” Biñas said.

“If he did not file his SALN due to health problems, that’s admissable. If they cannot give very convincing or justified reason, we will charge them accordingly base (sic) on existing laws,” he added.

Those who failed to submit their SALNs on time were noncommissioned officers, with the rank of PO1 to SPO4, and some nonuniformed personnel.

As part of cleaning their ranks, Biñas said all policemen in Central Visayas shall undergo lifestyle check to determine whether or not they accumulated ill-gotten wealth.

Last June 28, at least five police officers in Cebu province were investigated after reports showed that they allegedly own “questionable” properties and were apparently involved in the illegal drug trade./ with UP Cebu Intern Morexette Marie Erram