Senators bare business interests in asset statements

Manila, Philippines - The latest statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of senators showed that most of them are shareholders in various companies and have interests in real estate, retail and the food business.

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. is still the richest senator despite a dip in his total assets. But his SALN did not list his connection with the family-owned Vista Land and Lifescapes and Pollar property, which are involved in major real estate property development in the country, apparently because he had delegated the business to his children.

The Senate’s second richest, Sen. Ralph Recto, and his actress-wife Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos had P418,523,601.13 in assets. The couple listed cash in bank and marketable securities totaling to about P221 million, P23 million in personal effects, P1.925 million in club shares, P110,866,592.81 in investment shares and P19.55 million in motor vehicles as part of their personal and other assets.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has a total net worth of P311.5 million with no liabilities.

Marcos and his wife Louise have business interests with Augustus Management Inc., a management company based in Laoag, Ilocos Norte and NIV Property Holding Co., Inc.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has business interests with JVPE Holdings, Inc., and Canlubang Golf and Country Club and the JAKA Investments Corp. where he and his wife are listed as major stockholders. They also own shares at the Alabang Country Club Inc. worth P3.665 million.

Enrile is the fifth richest senator with P116 million in total assets.

Neophyte Sen. Teofisto Guingona III’s SALN indicates he is a stockholder in at least nine firms. These include Tierra Minerva Properties Development Corp.; Guimaras Realty Inc., Southern Flagship Realty Inc., First Tropical Blooms, Inc., Firm Builders Realty Development Corp.; Sta. Lucia Investments Inc.; Ayala Land and Ayala Corp.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, whose total assets amounted to P82 million, listed no business interests but he had P53.5 million in cash securities, P6.1 million in equipment, P3.5-million personal properties and P21.6-million real properties.

Veteran Sen. Edgardo Angara declared the dividends he received from BPI, GMA Network, Manila Electric Co. and Republic Cement Corp. He also owns shares in Accra Investments Corp., Ayala Land Inc.; Aboitiz Power Corp., Philex Mining and Chinatrust (Phil) Commercial Bank Corp.

Artists’ circle

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla has business interests in Jomarog Inc. and Villa Jose Jacinda, Inc.

Majority leader Vicente Sotto III listed no business interests but reported P17.675 million in cash and other investments; P13.658 million in cars/service vehicles; P60,000 in sporting equipment; P50,000 in communication facilities; P1 million in recording studio equipment, and household furniture and appliances, P600,000.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada does not have business interests under his name but his wife, Precy, is a stockholder of S-E-N-J-I Corp., Lucky J4J Resto, Inc.; HK Choi Inc.; Choi Palace Inc.; Quick Choi; and JELP Real Estate Development Corp.

Sen. Manuel Lapid’s SALN showed that his wife Marissa is connected to Waltermart Construction Supply in Porac, Pampanga, Generics Pharmacy and MTL Enterprises. His real properties totaled P26.5 million.

Stocks, securities, other investments

Sen. Panfilo Lacson has no business interest but his wife Alice is involved with the Golden Beret security agency in Sucat, Parañaque; and Megastar Real Estate Corp. in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Sen. Franklin Drilon has interests in Violet Orchids Holdings Corp. and Orchids Galore Inc.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s business interest is with Narsan Holdings while her husband is involved in NS & MD Corp., NMAM Corp.; DEFSAN Corp.; and NARCMIR Corp.

Sen. Loren Legarda has stocks in Manila Polo Club worth P2 million; Loren Legarda and Associates (LLAI), P249,000; and Bai-A-Labi Corp., P622,365.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri is a stockholder of California Pizza Kitchen, JMZ Trading Corp., San Miguel Farms and ATZ Marketing Philippines Inc.

Sen. Francis Escudero listed EMSAVVIL Law (partner) and Manila Nature’s Link Corp. (stockholder) as his business interests.

Sen. Alan Cayetano has interests in eight firms, namely Pateros Development Corp.; Slarep Development Corp.; Sanpil Holdings; Cayetano Family Foundation Inc.; APSC Tapat Development Corp.; LokalBooks Inc., Celebrity Sports Plaza, Inc., and Fuego Development Corp.

Sen. Pia Cayetano is connected with Tatooine Holdings Corp.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan listed his agricultural properties in Marinduque and Pangasinan; shares in Manila Pearl Corp., Marbleland Mining and Development Corp.; Lockwell Builders, Inc.; and FRD Food and Spices; furniture, jewelry, books and journals, and transportation.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, the former Magdalo soldier turned politician, has replaced Sen. Joker Arroyo as the poorest senator.

Trillanes has assets totaling P3.836 million which included a 120-square meter residential lot in General Trias, Cavite; a 308-sq. meter lot in Antipolo City, and a residential condominium in Parañaque City worth P3 million.

Only senators Gregorio Honasan and Arroyo did not list any business interests in their SALN.