Pacquiao still richest congressman in 2013

Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao.  INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Sarangani Representative and welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao remains as the richest congressman in the country and is the only billionaire in the House of Representatives.

Pacquiao had a net worth of P1.4 billion in 2013, down from P1.77 billion in 2012, according to his filed statement of assets and liabilities net worth (SALN) made available by the chamber on Wednesday.

Pacquiao is the target of the Bureau of Internal Revenue for allegedly failing to pay the right income taxes in his boxing bouts from 2008 to 2009.

After Pacquiao, the richest member of the House of Representatives is former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, who has a net worth of P922.8 million, the same as the previous year.

The third-richest congressman is Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. of Quezon City, with a wealth of P819.749 million, or higher than his P817.574 million in 2012.

Negros Occidental Rep. Alfred Benitez came fourth with a net worth of P713.875 million, from P702.066 million in 2012.

The fifth-wealthiest solon is veteran Negros Occidental Rep. Julio Ledesma IV. He has a net worth of P617.326 million, from P590.558 in 2012.

Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar came next with a wealth of P526.450 million, much higher than his P361.782 million in 2012.

Another Marcos relative came in the top 10 wealthiest solon—Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Mrs. Marcos’ nephew. Romualdez’s wealth amounted to P475.002 million, from P474.18 million in 2012.

Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit is the eighth- richest solon with a net worth of P272.975 million, from P195.9 million in 2012.

Tarlac Rep. Enrique Cojuangco Jr. is ninth with P217.52 million from P214.84 million in 2012.

The only newbie solon in the top 10 is Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, the brother of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu. He has a net worth of P215.850 million.

Poorest

The poorest lawmaker, meanwhile, is first termer Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap, with a net worth of P37,722. The poorest solon in 2012 was Hicap’s predecessor Rafael Mariano with a net worth of P92,507.

Other lawmakers at the bottom 10 are: Abakada Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz (first termer) with a wealth of P550,000,  Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene Bag-ao with P598,013 (she is a first termer as Dinagat solon but she was Akbayan representative last year with a net worth of P230,789), Kalinga Rep. Abigail Ferriol-Pascual with P636,980 (second termer with wealth of P501,951 in 2012), Terry Ridon with P900,000 (first termer), Coop-Natcco Rep. Cresente Paez with P1.098 million (third termer, with wealth of P1.195 million in 2012);

Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus with P1.24 million (second termer, with the same wealth in 2012), Act Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio with P1.278 million (second termer, with P1.288 million in 2012), Magdalo Rep. Francisco Acedillo with P1.326 million (first termer) and Camarines Norte Rep. Elmer Panotes with P1.455 million (second termer, with P1.599 million in 2012).

Multimillionaires

Overall, at least 30 representatives each have more than P100 million in net worth, while those with less than P100 million but more than P10 million number 193.

At least 61 representatives belong to the bracket that have a little over a million to less than P10 million in wealth.

Only five solons have a net worth of less than a million pesos.