Section 16September 7, 2007, Sec./Art. 16

Full Disclosure of Financial and Business Interests of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members. - (a) Every sangguniang panlalawigan member shall, upon assumption to office, make a full disclosure of his business and financial interests. He shall also disclose any business and financial, professional relationship or any relation by affinity or consanguinity within the fourth civil degree which he may have with any person, firm or entity affected by any ordinance or resolution under consideration by the sanggunian of which he is a member, which relationship may result in conflict of interest. Such relationship shall include:

(1) Ownership of stocks or capital, or investment in the entity or firm to which the ordinance or resolution may apply; and

(2) Contracts or agreements with any person or entity which the ordinance or resolution under consideration may affect.

In the absence of a specific constitutional or statutory provision applicable to this situation, "conflict of interest" refers in general to one where it may be reasonably deduced that a member of a sangguniang panlalawigan may not act in the public interest due to some private, pecuniary or other personal considerations that may tend to affect his judgment to the prejudice of the service or the public.

(b) The disclosure required under this Act shall be made in writing and submitted to the secretary of the sanggunian or the secretary of the committee of which he is a member. The disclosure shall, in all cases, form part of the record of the proceedings and shall be made in the following manner:

(1) Disclosure shall be made before the member participates in the deliberations on the ordinance or resolution under consideration: Provided, That if the member did not participate during the deliberations, the disclosure shall be made before voting on the ordinance or resolution on second and third readings; and

(2) Disclosure shall be made when a m8mber takes a position or makes a privilege speech on a matter that may affect the business interest, financial connection or professional relationship described herein.