Former Balabagan, Lanao del Sur Mayor Amer Sampiano faces charges before the Sandiganbayan for five counts of violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713) in connection with the non-filing of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2008-2012.
In its Resolution, the Ombudsman ruled that under Section 8 of RA No. 6713, all government officials and employees are mandated to submit their SALNs stating the required information on or before April 30 of every year. By this, the public is able to monitor 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 government.
The Ombudsman added that “respondent failed to controvert the OMB-Mindanao Certification indicating that he failed to file his SALNs from 2004 to 2012. Apart from his bare allegations, respondent did not present concrete and competent evidence to prove that he indeed filed the required SALNs.”
“Nevertheless, since the preion of the offense under Section 8 in relation to Section 11 of R.A. No. 6713 had already set in with respect to the non-filing of respondent’s SALNs from 2004 to 2007, he may only be indicted for failure to file his SALNs from 2008-2012,” it added. ###