SALN Shady: Welcome to the Palarong Pambansa of Hypocrisy

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — September 7, 2025

IF there were medals for political double-talk, the Philippines would sweep the podium. Our beloved leaders have turned the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) into their own paliga — except it’s less transparency, more “Trip to Jerusalem.”

In one corner: House Speaker Martin Romualdez, flexing his SALN like it’s his gym membership. In the other: Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, demanding Romualdez bare it all while his own family’s financials are guarded tighter than the recipe for Jollibee Chickenjoy.

This isn’t governance. This is It’s Showtime, except the prize isn’t cash, it’s immunity from jail.

🎭 The Pot, the Kettle, and the Karaoke Battle

Princess Abante, Romualdez’s spox, starts the song: “May SALN si Speaker, oh! Transparent siya!” Then she belts out a high note accusing the Dutertes of “fake news.” Translation: Huwag niyo akong pansinin, tingnan niyo ‘yung kapitbahay kong mas madumi ang bakuran.

Baste answers with his own number: “I demand Romualdez’s SALN!” Brave. Heroic. Almost teleserye material—except he forgets his tatay’s SALN was hidden like the last slice of lechon during fiesta. Journalists who asked for it were treated like intruders in a barangay raffle.

Result? A duet of hypocrisy so loud it could wake up Andres Bonifacio from his grave.

🥸 Martires: The Barangay Tanod of Secrecy

And then there’s Ombudsman Samuel Martires. Imagine a barangay tanod, except instead of protecting the residents, he’s guarding the burglars.

The Constitution says SALNs must be open. RA 6713 (Code of Conduct) repeats it. Pero Martires? Nagpaka-matalino. He invented his own rulebook: “Bawal sumilip. Bawal mag-comment. Kung persistent ka, kulong ka!”

Seriously, in 2021 he wanted to jail people for reacting to SALNs. What’s next, five years in prison for saying “Ang yaman ni mayor, parang magic!”?

This isn’t anti-corruption. This is anti-kalikot. As in: bawal kalikutin ang SALN, baka madiskubre na ang bahay ni mayor ay hindi lang “rest house” kundi private resort with infinity pool.

📜 The Law is Clear, Pero Nagmamaang-maangan

Let’s be clear: wala pong “gray area” dito. The Constitution says disclose. RA 6713 says disclose. Even your barangay captain could understand it.

But politicians pretend like it’s a Sudoku puzzle. “Hmm, maybe public inspection means only our friends can see?” Or: “Siguro, ‘public’ means kami lang ang public.”

What they’re doing isn’t interpretation. It’s palusot-ology — the national pastime, right after basketball and waiting in line at LTO.

🏚️ Masterclass in Utang na Loob Politics

The SALN was supposed to be the simplest anti-corruption tool: a glorified Excel sheet of honesty. Instead, it’s become a weapon.

Abante waves it like a bolo against the Dutertes.
The Dutertes wave it like a bolo against Romualdez.
Martires? He confiscates the bolo and tells the public, “Bawal kayong makialam, baka masugatan kayo.”

What do we get? Leaders who grow mysteriously richer, a public that grows poorer, and a democracy that’s looking more like a barangay talent show rigged by the mayor’s cousin.

🚨 Nothing to See Here, Move On Na Lang

So where are we? Constitution ignored. Law gutted. Ombudsman turned into official “Tago King.”

Maybe it’s time to redesign the Ombudsman’s seal. Scrap the scales of justice. Replace them with a big tarpaulin banner — like the ones at fiestas — that reads:

“NOTHING TO SEE HERE. LIBRE ANG PANSIT. MOVE ON.”

Because that, mga kababayan, is the only transparency left in government: the plastic cover of the lechon at the mayor’s birthday party.