Villar still richest senator

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. remains the richest among the senators based on the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of senators for the year 2008.

Former Navy officer Antonio Trillanes IV, on the other hand, is still the poorest among the senators.

Villar’s net worth slightly increased from P1,041,383,946 in 2007 to P1,046,651,683.

Villar, who made his fortune mostly from real estate, became a billionaire from a net worth of P355,852,367.62 in 2001.

The following year, Villar’s worth reached P482 million, which made him and his wife, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, the richest of the lawmakers.

In 2003, the Villar couple’s net worth reached P531.2 million, then up to P620 million in 2004 and P760 million in 2005 – without liabilities.

In 2006, the Villar couple reached a total worth of P916 million.

Villar maintained he could clearly explain the sources of his wealth but expressed doubts whether President Arroyo and other millionaires in the Senate could do the same.

He said most of his colleague lawmakers and other government officials do not run any business, unlike him.

Villar is currently facing his peers investigating him over allegations of conflict of interest.

Sen. Jamby Madrigal, the principal complainant against Villar in the allegations of double insertion in the budget, came in second richest of the senators at P145.617 million based on her 2008 SALN.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was the third richest at P120.367 million, followed by Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., P118 million and Manuel Roxas II, P110.7 million.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was the sixth richest with P83.511 million, followed by Sen. Pia Cayetano with P76.4 million.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago came in eighth with P75.755 million, Sen. Loren Legarda posted P45.59 million, followed by Senators Edgardo Angara (P44.1 million), Juan Miguel Zubiri (P30.733 million), Rodolfo Biazon, (P29.456 million), Panfilo Lacson, (P27.806 million), Richard Gordon (P27 million), Alan Peter Cayetano, (P16.266 million).

Sen. Gregorio Honasan has P15.904 million while Sen. Manuel Lapid came next (P14.6 million), followed by Senators Benigno Aquino III (P14 million), Aquilino Pimentel Jr. (P12.313 million), Francis Pangilinan (P11.684 million), Joker Arroyo (P11.05 million), Francis Escudero (P7.683 million) and Trillanes with only P2.966 million in assets.