How reliable are SALNs in tracking wealth of gov't officials?

The Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) is supposed to help the government and citizens keep track of a public official's wealth.

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Yet even as more lawmakers put theirs on public record amid corruption probes, questions remain over whether these declarations are in any way accurate.

But first, what exactly goes into a SALN?

Filing a SALN is a constitutional requirement for public officials, intended as a tool for transparency and a safeguard against corruption and unexplained wealth.

Beyond basic details like name, spouse and government position, a SALN should provide a truthful record of an official's assets. This includes real and personal property, financial obligations or debts, business interests and financial ties, as well as any relatives holding positions in government.

An official's net worth is then determined by combining the value of real property and personal assets, including cash and other valuables and deducting any liabilities.

In essence, officials simply list under oath how much they own and what they owe without having to submit supporting documents.

Verification of SALNs largely depends on government action. Without such oversight and without making the records public officials' wealth stays out of sight. This only demonstrates how much a SALN filing first hinges on a government official's honesty, according to Paolo Tamase, associate dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law.

Because of this honesty, global tax expert Mon Abrea told Philstar.com that it is possible for public officials to underdeclare assets or overstate debts to make their wealth appear smaller.