Billionaires Villar, Cusi are richest gov’t secretaries

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar. INQUIRER file photo / JOAN BONDOC

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi are the richest cabinet secretaries in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, according to their recently released Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

In a Radyo Inquirer report, Villar and Cusi are the only billionaires among the cabinet secretaries currently serving the administration, with net worths of at least P1.4 billion and P1.3 billion, respectively.

National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Liza Maza has the lowest net worth, with P1.19 million.

Following Villar and Cusi are Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez (P338 million; Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (P303 million); Communications Secretary Martin Andanar (P158 million); Health Secretary Francisco Duque (P120 million); and Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia (P109 million).

Those under the P100 million mark are Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano (P55.6 million); Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (P49.8 million); Peace Secretary Jesus Dureza (P49.0 million); Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol (P26.9 million); Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu (P26.5 million); National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (P25.2 million); Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (P15.7 million); and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra (P14.3 million).

Those under the P10 million mark are Liason Secretary Adelino Sitoy (P9.66 million), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (P7.65 million); Information Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio (P7.63 million); Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña (P7.56 million); Education Secretary Leonor Briones (P6.66 million); and Secretary Maza (P1.19). With reports from Radyo Inquirer/ Mark Makalalad / jpv