Andanar richest among PCOO officials

MANILA, Philippines (First Published on July 24, 12 a.m.) - Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar is the richest official in his agency with a net worth higher than that of all his undersecretaries and assistant secretaries combined, documents obtained by The STAR showed.

Andanar declared a net worth of P152.27 million in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth submitted last April. His assets totaled P171.07 million while his liabilities amounted to P18.8 million as of Dec. 31, 2016.

Andanar is the son-in-law of Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel Aguilar, brother of Sen. Cynthia Villar, who in turn is wife of billionaire former senator Manny Villar. The Aguilar and Villar families are among the richest in Las Piñas City. The PCOO secretary also has 14 relatives in government.

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Andanar worked as a broadcaster for almost two decades before entering government service. Most of his assets were acquired before he was appointed to the Cabinet.

Andanar’s real properties amounted to P11.11 million as of the end of 2016. His properties are located in Cagayan de Oro; Surigao del Norte; Laguna; and the cities of Pasig, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.

His personal properties totaled P172.07 million, including jewelry and watches owned by his wife Alelee Aguilar-Andanar, three vehicles, cash and various electronic gadgets.

Andanar’s liabilities stemmed from a bank mortgage, credit cards and miscellaneous expenses – tuition, trips, daily expenses, administration dues, club membership and city services.

He declared shares of stocks in eight entities – The Country Club, Palm Country Club Inc., Manila House Private Club Inc., VAA Builders Corp., V.A. Aguilar Properties Inc., K2 Skin and Laser Corp., A One Skin and Laser Corp. and K3 Skin Laser and Aesthetic Corp.

Andanar’s net worth was higher than the P114.765 million combined net worth of four PCOO undersecretaries and seven assistant secretaries.

READ: Duterte's Cabinet a millionaires' club with 1 billionaire

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella declared a net worth of P7.47 million.

Undersecretary for good governance and government-owned and controlled corporations George Apacible’s net worth was P47.449 million. Undersecretary for administration and finance Noel Puyat’s net worth was P13.82 million, while that of undersecretary for legal affairs Enrique Tandan was P2.65 million.

Assistant secretary for policy and legislative affairs Kristian Ablan declared a net worth of P6.39 million while assistant secretary for operations Ana Marie Banaag declared P2.768 million.

Assistant secretary for content and messaging Rachel Queenie Rodulfo’s net worth as of Dec. 31 was P3.03 million, while that of assistant secretary for media accreditation and relations Feducia Lucas was P2.35 million. Lucas, a former TV5 reporter, has been promoted to undersecretary.

PCOO chief information officer assistant secretary Kissinger Reyes declared a net worth of P24.848 million while chief brand integrator PCOO assistant secretary Ramon Cualoping III’s net worth was P2.62 million.

Assistant secretary for special concerns Joseph Garcia had the lowest net worth among PCOO senior officials with P1.37 million.

The SALN of PCOO assistant secretary Mocha Uson, a controversial blogger and supporter of President Duterte, was not included in the documents released to The STAR.