Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has declared a net worth of ₱89 million in his latest Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) — a move that highlights his call for greater honesty and openness among public officials.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee confirmed the details of his SALN and explained that there’s been little change in his assets over the years.
“Kaunting movement lang naman ‘yung aking assets,” he said. “When I became a public servant, I didn’t have much personal activity. I sold some shares about six or seven years ago, and after that, there wasn’t much movement.”
For Gatchalian, releasing his SALN isn’t just about numbers — it’s about restoring trust between politicians and the people they serve.
“The truth is, people have lost their trust in politicians,” he admitted. “One way to bring that trust back is to release our SALN. Let’s show the public we have nothing to hide.”
He also emphasized that wealth itself isn’t the issue — it’s where it comes from that truly matters.
“The amount in your SALN isn’t important,” Gatchalian said. “What’s important is your source of income. If your wealth grows through legitimate means, that’s good. But if it grows from something questionable — that’s a problem.”
Gatchalian joins other senators, including Risa Hontiveros, Robin Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, Kiko Pangilinan, and Senate President Tito Sotto, who have made their SALNs public — a gesture that many believe is a step toward rebuilding public confidence in government.
In a time when trust in leaders feels fragile, Gatchalian’s openness serves as a quiet reminder: transparency still matters — and it starts with being honest about what we own, and how we earned it.
