MANILA, Philippines — Opposition congressmen yesterday criticized the House of Representatives for imposing strict rules on media and public access to the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of its members. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said it was the first time for the House to impose “stringent and repressive requirements” for public access to the SALNs. “If we have nothing to hide, why make public access to and disclosure of SALNs, which are public documents, extremely difficult to the extent of discouraging and deterring applicants from securing copies of said SALNs?” Lagman asked. The rules impose a lot of requirements on any journalist and any interested citizen requesting for copies of House members’ SALNs. There are nearly 300 House members.

Source: Philippine Star February 01, 2019 16:03 UTC