Redacted SALNs meant to protect Cabinet’s right to privacy: Palace | ABS-CBN
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Redacted SALNs meant to protect Cabinet’s right to privacy: Palace
Redacted SALNs meant to protect Cabinet’s right to privacy: Palace
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 23, 2017 09:29 PM PHT

MANILA—Malacañang on Saturday defended the redaction of information on Cabinet officials' statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), saying they "still have the right to privacy."
MANILA—Malacañang on Saturday defended the redaction of information on Cabinet officials' statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), saying they "still have the right to privacy."
"While we uphold the principle of transparency and accountability in public service, those working in the government, such as members of the Cabinet, still have the right to privacy," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
"While we uphold the principle of transparency and accountability in public service, those working in the government, such as members of the Cabinet, still have the right to privacy," Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
He added that the officials' SALNs contain personal information that may be used by outside parties to commit fraud.
He added that the officials' SALNs contain personal information that may be used by outside parties to commit fraud.
"However, SALNs are public documents and, to ensure the privacy and security of the official and their family, sensitive information has been blacked out," he added.
"However, SALNs are public documents and, to ensure the privacy and security of the official and their family, sensitive information has been blacked out," he added.
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Abella said the redacted details were personal information such as family members and home addresses.
Abella said the redacted details were personal information such as family members and home addresses.
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism recently revealed that some details of Cabinet members' SALNs were heavily redacted.
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism recently revealed that some details of Cabinet members' SALNs were heavily redacted.
In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order implementing the Freedom of Information (FOI), which provides for full disclosure of government records and transactions.
In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order implementing the Freedom of Information (FOI), which provides for full disclosure of government records and transactions.
Abella, meanwhile, urged Congress to pass an FOI law, because the executive order has "obvious limitations."
Abella, meanwhile, urged Congress to pass an FOI law, because the executive order has "obvious limitations."
"The redaction of public documents is nothing new," he said.
"The redaction of public documents is nothing new," he said.
"Legitimate public interest in disclosure has to be balanced against the rights of the employees."
"Legitimate public interest in disclosure has to be balanced against the rights of the employees."
Abella also cited the Data Privacy Act, which protects personal data in the government and private sector’s information and communications systems.
Abella also cited the Data Privacy Act, which protects personal data in the government and private sector’s information and communications systems.
"The Palace has acted to implement Republic Act 10173, or the Data Privacy Act, which was signed into law by the previous administration," he said.
"The Palace has acted to implement Republic Act 10173, or the Data Privacy Act, which was signed into law by the previous administration," he said.
"We must take note that the current SALN form has not been amended to comply with the data privacy in consonance with the global requirements/standards," he added.
"We must take note that the current SALN form has not been amended to comply with the data privacy in consonance with the global requirements/standards," he added.
Read More:
Malacañang
Ernesto Abella
Cabinet officials
SALN
Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth
Data Privacy Act
FOI
Freedom of Information
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