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PRESIDENTIAL ANTI-GRAFT COMMISSION (PAGC)
PRESS RELEASE November 6, 2007 For failure to file true and complete SALN… PALACE SLAPS SUSPENSION TO DEPED EXEC Malacañan issued a six-month suspension without pay to Department of Education Region XII Director Estrella Abid Babano for failure to file a true and complete Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net worth (SALN). PAGC found a prima facie case against the respondent based on an anonymous complaint filed before the Commission arising from her failure to disclose in her 2000 to 2005 SALNs two (2) motor vehicles registered under the name of her spouse, Macmod S. Pangandaman. Based on records, Babano failed to perform her legal obligation to disclose an Isuzu Hilander and a Honda Civic, both owned by her husband. PAGC found the defense of Babano that she does not have a duty to declare the two motor vehicles because the same are exclusive properties of her spouse without merit. RA 6713 does not make any distinction between conjugal and exclusive properties of spouses, therefore, respondent has a duty to disclose the said properties. Submission of SALN is mandated under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act 6713) and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019). A SALN should include the details of the officials’ assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests, including those of their spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households. Furthermore, failure to file a sworn SALN is punishable by suspension of one-month and one-day to six months for the first offense and dismissal from service for the second offense (Executive Order No. 292). The Palace Decision which was signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita last Oct. 19, 2007 also included the accessory penalty of disqualification for promotion during the suspension period. “All presidential appointees should not only be honest but above suspicion and reproach. The filing of true and complete SALN manifests the public servant’s value for transparency and accountability,” De Guzman reiterated. # |