Villar still richest in Senate

MANILA, Philippines - Most of the senators maintained their net worth in the past year amid the pork barrel controversy.

Sen. Cynthia Villar continued the family tradition as the richest in the Senate – a distinction held by her husband Manny, who retired from the chamber last year – with over P1.626 billion in assets in 2013.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has the lowest total net worth with about P4.912 million.

Based on their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) for 2013, all the senators – except for Villar – are in the millionaires’ circle. 

The joint SALN of Manny and Cynthia Villar showed that they have P4.88 million worth of real properties with the bulk of their assets amounting to P1.621 billion in shares of stock.

Last April 30, the Villar couple submitted their SALN to the Senate secretariat.  

Their latest net worth increased from P1.453 million reported in their 2012 SALN.

Sen. Ralph Recto and wife, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, remained second richest with total assets amounting to P496,856,444.29.   

They listed as part of their assets some P73.840 million in real properties and P483,971,024.24 in personal properties.

They listed as part of their personal properties club shares at the Baguio Country Club and Mount Marayat Golf and Country Club worth P725,000 and P1.2 million.  

They also have about P257 million in cash in banks and financial institutions; investment in stocks worth P146.73 million; jewelry worth P22.4 million; other investments of P23.525 million; and some P25 million worth of vehicles.

The Rectos listed about P60 million in taxes and notes payable as part of their liabilities. 

In 2012, Recto’s total net worth was P468.4 million.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and wife Louise Araneta-Marcos reported a total net worth of P197.47 million.

Their assets include real properties worth P42.5 million and P93.6 million in personal properties.     Marcos’ net worth based on assessed value of properties  in tax declaration was placed at P197.47 million.

Based on the assessment of Cuervo Appraisers, an appraisal firm that Marcos used in the previous years, the couple’s net worth is P441.99 million.

The Marcoses’ liabilities showed P20.848 million in property loans with BPI Family Savings Bank.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada listed his total net worth at P195 million, including P216.1 million in assets and liabilities reaching P21 million. 

In 2012, Estrada posted P193.58 million in total net worth. His assets reached P215.24 million, while his liabilities were P21.66 million.

Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. is the fifth richest in the Senate as he and wife, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, posted total assets of P249,352.748.36 with liabilities of P166.7 million.  

In 2012, Revilla  posted assets amounting to P251.79 million and liabilities of P169.14 million. 

Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares made it to the top 10 richest senators with total net worth of P148.9 million.   

She listed P145.5 million in real properties and some P42 million in personal properties.

Poe listed two houses and lots in the United States. The first one worth P15 million was purchased in 2008, while a second was purchased in 1992.

Trailing Poe are Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enriile (P119.377 million), Senators Teofisto Guingona III (P114.9 million), Juan Edgardo Angara (P97.825 million) and Miriam Defensor-Santiago (P76.743 million).

Senate President Franklin Drilon reported P58,139,382 in total net worth; Senators JV Ejercito, P73,998,448.59; Pia Cayetano, P73,296,314; Vicente Sotto III, P63,850,950; Nancy Binay, P63,778,409; Loren Legarda, P41.423 million; Sergio Osmeña III, P38.77 million; Lito Lapid, P30 million; Alan Cayetano, P21.7 million; and Gringo Honasan, P20.958 million. 

Senators Bam Aquino’s net worth is P20.493 million; Aquilino Pimentel III, P16.99 million; and Francis Escudero, P8.243 million.