Ifugao solon has less than P200k in bank account

By Aiza Liza P. Namingit

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat said he welcomes the challenge for elected officials to open up their bank records to scrutiny, saying the public deserves to be assured their representatives do not use their taxes for personal gain.

           

Baguilat said he supported the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona although he was not able to sign the complaint as he was then away on official business.

           

Corona was convicted by the Senate sitting as impeachment court Tuesday for violation of the Constitution and failure to correctly disclosed his Statement of Assets and Liabilities Net (SALN) and stripped of his post as Chief Justice. 

According to Baguilat, he has less than P200,000 in his peso bank accounts, and has no dollar account here or abroad.

           

Baguilat says he voluntarily signed a waiver to disclose his bank accounts to tell Filipinos that their representatives were willing to subject themselves to accountability, even if it means opening up bank accounts.

           

“I want the Chief Justice impeached so I should put these words into action by signing the waiver,” said Baguilat.

           

“I support the impeachment because it is critical to government’s resolve on good governance,” Baguilat added.

           

The Chief Justice earlier said he was willing to open up his accounts to government scrutiny on condition that the 188 Representatives of the Lower House who signed the impeachment complaint as well as Senator Franklin Drilon do the same.

           

He later withdrew the challenge and submitted his unconditional waiver to the Senate, paving the way for the opening of his accounts.

           

Baguilat, however, said that even with the withdrawal of the challenge, he was still signing the waiver to assure his constituents as well as the rest of the Filipino taxpayers that good governance is indeed possible.

           

“As a representative of Ifugao, I am open to Ifugaos knowing the financial situation of their representative now and for the years to come and also to show the country that representatives take accountability and transparency seriously and that we do earn our living in an honorable way,” said Baguilat.

           

His desire for greater transparency is also one reason why he is a firm supporter of the passage of the Freedom of Information bill, which is part of the Aquino administration’s legislative agenda.