Beyond SALNs: Why lifestyle checks are the missing link in anti-corruption reform

The recent decision of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to restore public access to Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) is a welcome step toward transparency.

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For too long, restrictions on SALN disclosure have undermined public trust, shielding officials from scrutiny and weakening one of our most basic accountability tools. But let us be clear: SALNs alone are not enough. Without verification, they risk becoming symbolic paperwork-filed, archived, and forgotten.

Six of the country's most respected organizations-the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Shareholders' Association of the Philippines, Justice Reform Initiative, and Institute for Solidarity in Asia-have now raised the alarm. Their message is simple but powerful: pair SALNs with lifestyle checks. Lifestyle audits can reveal discrepancies between declared wealth and actual living standards. In today's digital age, where travel records, luxury purchases, and even social media footprints leave trails, such checks are not only feasible but necessary.