The Office of the Ombudsman has found Nurse II Jakaratul Halun of the Luuk District Health Office in Sulu guilty of Neglect of Duty and meted upon her the penalty of three months suspension without pay, for failure to file her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2010 to 2012. In the event of respondent’s separation from the service, the penalty will be converted into a fine equivalent to her salary for three months.
Respondent failed to controvert the allegations against her.
“By the yearly and mandatory SALN, the public is able to monitor the movement in the fortune of a public official; it is a valid check and balance mechanism to verify undisclosed properties and wealth and the means to achieve the policy of accountability of all public officers and employees in the government,” stated the Ombudsman.
Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713) requires all public officials or employees to accomplish a statement under oath showing their assets, liabilities and net worth and financial and business interests as of 31 December of every year, including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of age living in their households, and to submit this on or before 30 April of the succeeding year. ###