Published July 1, 2021, 9:50 AM Supreme Court (SC) The Supreme Court (SC) has declared that while the right of access and information to a public official’s statement of assets, liabilities and networth (SALN) is provided for in the Constitution and in the law, “the same is not an absolute vested right.” In a resolution released last June 30, the SC said that the right to official records such as SALN “is absolutely subject to regulation.” “The power to regulate the access by the public to these documents stems from the inherent power of the custodian to control its very office to the end that damage to, or loss of, the records may be avoided; that undue interference with the duties of the custodian of the books and documents and other employees may be prevented; and that the right of other persons entitled to make inspection may be insured,” the SC said.