Villar still richest senator; De Lima poorest

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Cynthia Villar, whose family is engaged in property and shopping malls, remains the richest member of the Senate, while detained Sen. Leila de Lima is the poorest, based on their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).

The Senate released recently an updated summary of the senators’ SALNs, to include those elected or reelected in the May elections this year.

Villar, who topped the Senate race, declared a net worth of P3,534,412,797 in her SALN as of June 30 this year. Her net worth, however, was lower by P185 million compared to what she declared on Dec. 31, 2018.

The senator’s husband, former Senate president Manny Villar, was named as the Philippines’ richest by Forbes in its March 2019 list of richest people in the world with an estimated net worth of $5.5 billion.

The second billionaire in the 24-member chamber is Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who has a net worth of P3,005,808,000 as of Dec. 31, 2018. Pacquiao derives his income mostly from his widely watched fights and endorsements.

Third richest is Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who posted P555,324,479.82 based on his 2018 SALN. Fourth richest is Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri with a net worth P182,851,570.34 as of end 2018.

Sen. Bong Revilla Jr., who had been acquitted of plunder last year, came in fifth with a net worth of P164,203,379.38 as shown in his June 30, 2019 SALN.

He was followed by Sen. Sonny Angara whose updated SALN indicated a net worth of P139,026,597.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon declared a net worth of P97,726,758 as of Dec. 31, 2018. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was eighth richest with a net worth of P96,210,607.14 based on his SALN last year.

Placing ninth was Sen. Grace Poe, who declared a net worth of P95,693,450.37 as shown in her June 30, 2019 SALN.

Rounding out the top 10 richest in the Senate was Sen. Pia Cayetano, who has net worth of P82,308,227.36 based on her SALN filed last July 1, 2019.

Sen. Richard Gordon posted a net worth P71,285,178.56 last Dec. 31, 2018, putting him in 11th place. Senate President Vicente Sotto III was 12th richest with a net worth of P70,120,700.30 as of end-2018.

Returning Sen. Lito Lapid declared a net worth of P69,910,000 in his SALN of June 30, 2019. He was followed by new Sen. Francis Tolentino, who has a net worth of P62,482,000. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe