Pacquiao only billionaire in House
Manny Pacquiao INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Top-rated boxer and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao remains undefeated as the richest member of the House of Representatives, declaring a P1.345 billion net worth in his 2013 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
In contrast, the poorest member is Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap, who reported a net worth of P37,722. His party-list group represents farmers and the poor.
Four other lawmakers reported a net worth below P1 million.
Pacquiao, whose net worth dipped to P1.77 billion in 2012, remains the lone billionaire in the legislature, though barely. His SALN put his total assets at P1.872 billion but his liabilities at P527.16 million.
If the Bureau of Internal Revenue succeeds in collecting Pacquiao’s alleged tax deficiency worth over P2 billion, he may end up being much poorer than Hicap. Pacquiao is currently contesting a P2.2-billion tax deficiency assessment for 2008 and 2009.
Imelda 2nd-richest
The second-richest representative is Imelda Marcos of Ilocos Norte province, with a net worth of P922.8 million. She is followed by Speaker and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte (P819.749 million), and Negros Occidental Representatives Alfredo Benitez (P713.875 million) and Julio Ledesma IV (P617.326 million).
Rounding out the top 20 richest representatives are Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar (P526.45 million), Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (P475 million), Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit (P272.975 million), Tarlac Rep. Enrique Cojuangco, (P217.521 million), Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu (P215.85 million);
Cavite Rep. Alex Advincula (P202.276 million), Nueva Ecija Rep. Joseph Violago (P188.349 million), Quezon Rep. Aleta Suarez (P184.283 million), Leyte Rep. Lucy Marie Gomez (P181.173 million), Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali (P173.715 million), Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla (P166.715 million);
Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas (P160.88 million), Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal (P160.399 million), Pangasinan Rep. Rose Marie Arenas (P159.435 million) and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (P136.757 million).
Ten other lawmakers had a net worth of over P100 million.
Below P1M
Five, however, did not reach the P1-million mark. Aside from Hicap, they are Abakada Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz (P550,000), Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao (P598,012), Kalinga Rep. Abigail Ferriol (P636,980) and Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon (P900,000).
The rest of the 10 least wealthy House members are Coop Natcco Rep. Cresente Paez (P1.098 million); Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus (P1.24 million); ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio (P1.277 million); Magdalo Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo (P1.326 million); and Camarines Norte Rep. Elmer Panotes (P1.454 million).
Hicap, in his detailed SALN, had no real properties. The first-time lawmaker said his assets consisted of P32,722.39 in cash deposits at Land Bank of the Philippines and P5,000 worth of home appliances, including an old TV set, acquired in various years. He listed no liabilities.
He said he and his younger children live in a small house which, he said, he could not actually consider his own because it was built by his older children.
A fisherman, Hicap used to chair the fisherfolk group Pamalakaya before becoming Anakpawis’ first nominee in the 2013 elections.
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