Ombudsman, Comelec chief, COA head richer in 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. and Commission on Audit (COA) Chairman Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan became richer by a few million pesos in 2013, copies of their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) obtained by The STAR showed.

Morales’ SALN showed that she declared a net worth of P48.962 million, a P5.6-million increase from her P43.362 million in 2012.

The increase was a result of her declaration of a fully paid condominium unit in Makati City worth P4.9 million.

Morales’ cash investments and retirement benefits went down from P27.2 million in 2012 to P25.9 million last year.

She did not list any payables or liabilities for 2013.

She listed the same real properties in Muntinlupa, Lemery in Batangas, Parañaque, The Fort and Baguio City apart from the new Makati City condominium unit bought from the Eton Group of Companies.

She also had the same vehicles – a car and a van worth P390,000 and P132,850 respectively – and other properties like jewelry, books, furniture, antiques and silverware valued at P2.9 million.

Meanwhile, Brillantes’ wealth rose from P32.427 million in 2012 to P40.323 million as of Dec. 31, 2013.

His net worth went up despite total liabilities of P9.2 million – a bank loan of P5.8 million and payables of P3.4 million.

Brillantes still has his 2007 Toyota Fortuner worth P1.5 million but he now drives a 2014 model Hyundai Starex valued at P1.8 million and “other properties” worth P6.8 million.

His cash, shares of stocks, investments, bank and time deposits and current accounts increased from P19.095 million in 2012 to P27.591 million in 2013.

Brillantes listed the same real properties in Parañaque and Las Piñas valued at P8.831 million.

Tan, the richest among the three, had the smallest increase in total wealth at only P2.288 million.

From a net worth of P65.731 million in 2012, she said she is now worth P68.020 million.

She declared almost the same value of real properties at P36.220 million, but her stock investments went up from P41.950 million in 2012 to P45.812 million in 2013. Her cash also increased from P929,660 to P5.974 million.

It appeared Tan sold some of her vehicles since the value of her cars went down from P1.163 million in 2012 to only P383,000 last year.

Her liabilities listed as various payables also increased from P15.870 million in 2012 to P21.870 million as of Dec. 31, 2013.

The Office of the Ombudsman is the official depository of the SALNs of the president, vice president and the heads of constitutional bodies like Morales, Brillantes and Tan.