Morales richer by P4.4M in 2017

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales at the sidelines of the 2017 Asia Women’s Summit in Pasay City on Wednesday. VINCE F. NONATO/INQUIRER PHOTO

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales’ wealth grew 8 percent to P58.53 million as of 2017, from P54.13 million the year before.

The P4.4-million increase was caused by the growth in the Morales’s cash investments and retirement benefits, according to her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth as of Dec. 31, 2017, which was released by the Ombudsman’s Central Records Division at the Inquirer’s request.

The retired Supreme Court associate justice is a member of the Supreme Court Savings and Loan Association provident fund.

Morales did not acquire any new property in 2017. Her current properties acquired during previous years include a P390,000 car, a P132,850 van, and P3.3 million in jewelry.

She currently owns a P3.3-million house and lot in Muntinlupa City, a P2.6-million house and lot in Lemery, Batangas, four condominium units worth P13.408 million in Manila, Makati City, Taguig City and Baguio City, as well as two memorial lots in Parañaque City.

On the other hand, Morales reported having P88,000 in liability to upscale department store Rustan’s marked as “personal item.” This was unlike her previous SALNs in which she declared no liability.

Morales’ most recently declared net worth is P17.78 million, or 43.6 percent, more than the P40.75-million net worth she declared at the time she was appointed by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in July 2011.

The only new property she acquired in the past seven years was the P4.9-million condominium unit in Eton Parkview Greenbelt in Makati City that she bought in 2013. Prior to the unit’s acquisition, Morales declared the amortization as a liability in the SALN she submitted when she assumed office.

Morales is set to retire this July after completing her seven-year term.