Sulu, Maguindanao officials suspended for SALN violations

A governor, two vice governors and two mayors have been suspended for violations in their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II was suspended for one month for failing to file his SALN in 2013 and 2014 under oath, according to a ruling issued yesterday by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In another decision, the ombudsman said Maguindanao Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat was suspended for six months for failing to declare ownership of several of his properties in his SALNs in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

Graft probers said Sinsuat did not declare five agricultural lands, two commercial properties and a residential lot.

In defense, Sinsuat said he was not directly involved in the registration of properties under his name.

“Records sufficiently prove that respondent made a willful and deliberate assertion of a falsehood by materially omitting in his SALNs…the real properties he acquired in those years,” the anti-graft court ruling stated.

“He failed to pay attention to the details of his SALN, resulting in the inaccuracy of crucial information,” the ruling read.

Sinsuat will be charged with perjury, the ombudsman added.

Sulu Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan and Mayors Samier Abubakar Tan of Maimbung town and Al-Zhudurie Asmadun of Lugus were suspended for six months for “habitually” failing to file their SALNs.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio- Morales said Section 8 of Republic Act 6713 mandates public officials and employees to file their SALNs every year and under oath, and disclose not only their business interests and financial connections, but also of their spouse and children under 18 years.