Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao. FILE PHOTO
Sarangani representative and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao remains the richest and only billionaire congressman in the country, a list of filed statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) from the House of Representatives shows.
Pacquiao had a net worth of P1.688 billion in 2014, higher than the P1.4 billion he recorded in 2013.
Following Pacquiao, the second richest member of the lower chamber is House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. of Quezon City, with a net worth of P921.559 million, slightly lower than the P922.8 million he recorded in 2013.
Belmonte exchanged places with Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, who is now the third richest congressman. The former first lady registered a wealth of P917.8 million, down from the P922.8 million she reported in 2013.
Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfred Benitez still emerged the fourth wealthiest solon in 2014 after recording a net worth of P845.928 million, up from his P713.875 million in 2013.
Fifth richest is another Negros Occidental congressman, Rep. Julio Ledesma IV of the first district. Ledesma’s net worth amounted to P822.275 million, much higher than his P617.326 million in 2013.
Landing on the sixth spot is a newbie solon in the top ten—Rep. Emmeline Aglipay of Quezon City. Aglipay filed a wealth of P689.005 million.
Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar came next with a net worth of P689.005 million, up from his P526.450 million in 2013.
Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, another Marcos relative, is the eighth wealthiest solon with P474.766 million, slightly lower than the P475.002 million he recorded in 2013. Romualdez, the nephew of Mrs. Marcos, reported no liabilities.
The ninth richest congressman is Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit with a net worth of P317.975 million, from P272.975 million in 2013.
Tarlac Rep. Enrique Cojuangco Jr. also cracked the top ten list of richest solons after recording a net worth of P220.572 million, from his P217.52 million in 2013.
Meanwhile, the poorest lawmaker in 2014 is still Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap, with a net worth of P95,572—higher than his P37, 722 in 2013. Hicap reported no acquisition cost and liabilities.
Other congressmen at the bottom ten are: Kalinga Rep. Abigail Ferriol with P375,000, Abakada Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz with P850,000, Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus with P1.240 million, Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon with P1.350 million, Magdalo Rep. Francisco Acedillo with P1.358 million, Sulu Rep. Maryam Arbison with P1.4 million, Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano with P1.444 million, 1 CARE Rep. Edgardo Masongsong with P1.651 million and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate with P1.772 million.
Only three solons recorded a net worth of less than a million pesos, while 31 representatives each had a wealth of more than P100 million. RC