Remulla Unleashes the SALN Kraken: No Safe Harbor for the Corrupt

Martires’ Dark Reign Ends: Transparency Torches His House of Secrets

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — October 11, 2025

Prologue: The Light Returns, and the Shadows Scurry

Well, well, well. After years of clawing through the dark, dank corridors of bureaucratic betrayal, a sliver of light has finally pierced the gloom. On his first damn day as Ombudsman, Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla dropped a bombshell that made the corrupt quiver and the righteous cackle: the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) access restrictions—those vile shackles forged by Samuel Martires—are about to be shattered. Next week, a new memorandum will rise from the ashes of Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2020, restoring the public’s right to peek into the wallets of the powerful. This isn’t just a policy flip; it’s a seismic shift in the war for transparency, a middle finger to the architects of impunity, and a vindication for yours truly, Louis “Barok” C. Biraogo, who’s been screaming into the void since Martires decided accountability was optional.

The stakes? Oh, nothing less than the soul of Philippine democracy. The SALN isn’t just a form; it’s a litmus test for integrity, a public ledger of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. For too long, it’s been locked away, guarded by the Ombudsman’s office like some sacred relic too holy for peasant eyes. But now? The gates are creaking open. Buckle up, because this is the climax of a legal thriller that’s been brewing for years—and I’m here to dissect it with all the glee of a vindicated crusader.

The Past: Martires’ Reign of Obfuscation and the Supreme Court’s Spineless Sidestep

Memorandum Circular No. 1: A Legal Dumpster Fire

Let’s rewind to the dark ages, shall we? Enter Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2020—a masterpiece of bureaucratic cowardice that slammed the door on SALN access faster than you can say “corruption cover-up.” This wasn’t just a policy; it was a middle finger to Republic Act (RA) No. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, specifically Section 8(d), which mandates that SALNs be accessible to the media for public dissemination. Martires, in his infinite wisdom, decided that the law was more of a suggestion. His circular was a legal abomination, a flimsy house of cards built on the shaky foundation of “protecting public officials.” Protecting them from what, exactly? Accountability? Scrutiny? The truth? The circular didn’t just bend the law; it snapped it in half, tossed it in a shredder, and set the pieces on fire. Judicial malpractice doesn’t get more brazen than this.

Samuel Martires: Patron Saint of the Shady

Then there’s Samuel Martires himself, the former Ombudsman who turned the “sumbungan ng bayan” (people’s refuge) into a gated community for the corrupt elite. His tenure was a masterclass in abdication. He didn’t just restrict SALN access; he stopped lifestyle checks in 2018, citing “questions and doubts” about their validity and whining about officials being “victims” of scrutiny (Rappler). Victims! Imagine that—feeling sorry for public servants forced to explain why their lifestyles scream “ill-gotten wealth” while their SALNs whisper “public servant’s salary.” Martires didn’t just fail as an Ombudsman; he became the patron saint of impunity, wrapping his inaction in a cloak of faux compassion for the corrupt. His legacy? A stain on the Ombudsman’s office, a monument to enabling the powerful to hide in plain sight.

The Supreme Court: Masters of the Legal Dodge

But the real gut-punch came from the Supreme Court in Biraogo vs. Martires (G.R. No. 254516). Oh, how I wish I could say the Court rose to the occasion. Instead, it delivered a masterclass in how to bury a citizen’s quest for truth under a mountain of bureaucratic red tape. My petition—challenging Martires’ circular as the unconstitutional travesty it was—got the judicial equivalent of a shrug. The Court dismissed it, hiding behind the flimsiest of excuses: the “political question” doctrine and a parade of procedural technicalities (ABS-CBN NEWS). Their reasoning? A labyrinth of legalese so dense it could choke a law professor. They didn’t just get it wrong; they actively chose to dodge the fight, cowering before the executive branch like a dog afraid of its own bark. The Court didn’t merely uphold Martires’ circular; it dug a legal graveyard and buried the truth in it. To the Honorable Justices, a sarcastic tip of the hat: thank you for reminding us that courage is optional when you’re cloaked in robes (Kweba ni Barok).

The Present: Remulla’s Gambit and the Dawn of Accountability

Enter Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, stage left, with a press briefing that felt like the first rays of dawn after a long, miserable night. On October 10, 2025, his first day as Ombudsman, he announced a new memorandum to reverse Martires’ SALN restrictions. Let’s unpack this from three angles, because a win this big deserves a proper autopsy.

Public Interest Perspective: This is a triumph for the people’s right to know. SALNs aren’t just paperwork; they’re the public’s window into whether their leaders are serving the nation or serving themselves. Remulla’s move restores a cornerstone of democracy: the ability to hold power accountable. It’s a signal that the Ombudsman’s office might finally live up to its name as the “sumbungan ng bayan.”
Political Perspective: Let’s not kid ourselves—Remulla’s no naive altruist. This is a calculated move to distance the new administration from the Duterte-era shadows. By torching Martires’ legacy on day one, Remulla’s signaling a break from the past, positioning himself as the anti-Martires. It’s a bold flex, a way to curry favor with a public fed up with secrecy and a media hungry for headlines. Shrewd? Absolutely. Necessary? Damn right.
Legal Perspective: This is a repudiation of Martires’ lawless circular and a return to the rule of law. RA 6713‘s mandate is crystal clear: SALNs are public documents, not state secrets. Remulla’s decision aligns the Ombudsman’s office with the letter and spirit of the law, slapping down Martires’ attempt to rewrite it. It’s a legal course correction that should’ve happened years ago.

But let’s not pop the champagne just yet. Remulla’s talk of “weaponization” and requiring an “undertaking” for SALN requests raises red flags. Sure, privacy concerns are valid—nobody wants SALNs used for petty vendettas—but these caveats could easily morph into new bureaucratic hurdles. The “undertaking” sounds suspiciously like a gatekeeping mechanism, a way to slow-walk requests under the guise of due process. And redacting information? That’s a slippery slope to selective transparency. The battle for true access isn’t over; it’s just entering a new, suspenseful chapter. The corrupt are watching, waiting for any crack to exploit. Stay sharp, folks.

Impacts & Consequences: A Day of Reckoning and Beyond

The immediate impact of Remulla’s move is nothing short of a day of reckoning. With SALN access restored and lifestyle checks back on the menu, corrupt officials are sweating bullets. Remulla’s plan to crowdsource lifestyle check tips is a game-changer—imagine the public turning into a million-strong army of watchdogs, ready to snitch on officials whose lifestyles scream “bribe money” (Rappler). This isn’t just policy; it’s a psychological gut-punch to the corrupt.

Systemically, this reversal re-empowers the media and civil society. Journalists, bloggers (like yours truly), and activists can once again wield SALNs as weapons in the fight against corruption. The Ombudsman’s office, once a fortress for the powerful, is poised to reclaim its role as the people’s refuge. This is a tectonic shift, rebalancing power toward those who demand accountability.

Looking long-term, Remulla’s move could have a chilling effect on would-be corrupt officials. Knowing their SALNs are no longer locked away might make them think twice before buying that third mansion or fifth sports car. Contrast this with Martires’ dark ages, when officials could hide their loot behind a wall of bureaucratic excuses. The future under Remulla looks brighter—but only if the momentum holds.

Finale: A Call to Arms and a Warning to the Wicked

To Ombudsman Remulla: Your first move was a banger, but don’t let it be your last. Make that new memorandum as open as a public square, not a fortress with a VIP list. Ensure SALN access is swift, simple, and untainted by red tape. The public’s trust is fragile—don’t squander it.

To the public and media: The door’s open, but it’s on you to storm through it. File those SALN requests. Dig into the numbers. Shine a spotlight on every discrepancy. Vigilance isn’t just a buzzword; it’s your duty. The corrupt thrive in apathy—don’t give them the satisfaction.

To the Supreme Court: No words, just a silent plea. Learn from this. Next time a citizen like me comes knocking with a case that screams for justice, don’t hide behind technicalities. Choose courage. The nation deserves better than a Court that buries truth to avoid a fight.

And to the corrupt officials still lurking in the shadows: The lights are back on. Your SALNs are waiting. The public is watching. Your time hiding behind Martires’ circular is over. The SALN war isn’t won yet, but the tide has turned. Run, hide, or come clean—because we’re coming for you.

Barok, out.