Villar richest in House; GMA kin among top 30; Marcos biggest gainer

MANILA, Philippines – Incoming Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s assets have almost doubled in a matter of just one year since becoming congressman of Ilocos Norte.

Based on his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, the only son and namesake of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos was worth P315.5 million, with “no liabilities,” as of December 2009.Marcos, 52, is fourth among the top 10 richest congressman based on his 2009 SALN. A year before, he was eighth.

The former Ilocos Norte governor declared a net worth of only P179 million in December 2008, which means his assets rose by as much as P136.5 million in just one year, or roughly P11.3 million every month.Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar still holds the distinction of being the richest congresswoman for the last 10 years, but her conjugal assets with senator-husband Manuel Villar — a defeated presidential candidate — dipped by P53 million, from P1 billion in December 2008.

Marcos’ first cousin, re-elected Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, ranked second in the list, declaring P477.2 million in total assets.

Romualdez, a 46-year-old banker/lawyer, was the administration congressman who paid for the lavish P1-million dinner (roughly $20,000) of President Arroyo and her entire delegation at the Le Cirque restaurant in New York last year.

The assets of Reps. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo of Pampanga and Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo of Camarines Sur, based on their SALNs, have also increased, although minimally.

Mikey, the 41-year-old eldest presidential son, reported a net worth of P101.3 million, a slight increase from his P99.2 million net worth in 2008, and P96.7 million in 2007.

Mikey came under fire in 2009 following reports that he managed to acquire a $1.32-million residential house in California, despite his salary of only P35,000 a month. He said his net worth grew sharply because of wedding and campaign donations.

President’s Arroyo’s relatives were among the 30 wealthiest in the chamber. Her youngest son, 35-year-old Dato, disclosed a net worth of P90.3 million. He reported total assets of P89 million in 2008 and P83.7 million in 2007, when he was first elected into office.

Mrs. Arroyo’s brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, declared that he is worth P138.5 million (with P12.3 million liabilities). He reported assets of P140.3 million in 2008 and P145.8 million in 2007.

Iggy’s sister Ma. Lourdes, who represents party-list Kasangga in Congress, said she is worth P88.6 million with no liabilities. She is the younger sister of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. Ms. Arroyo was one of 32 new sectoral representatives.

Top 10 richest

Among the top 10 richest lawmakers, Villar, Romualdez, Julio Ledesma IV of Negros Occidental, Judy Syjuco of Iloilo, Nikki Prieto-Teodoro of Tarlac and Ferjenel Biron of Iloilo have all retained their rankings.

Villar is still the richest, Romualdez is second with P477.2 million, Ledesma third with P447.5 million, Syjuco is fifth with P288.5 million, Teodoro sixth with P231.3 million, and Biron seventh with P192 million.

Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, who ranked 10th in 2008, is now ninth with P158.4 million. The newcomers in the top 10 are Reps. Glenda Ecleo of Dinagat Islands who is eighth with P166.4 million and Antonio Diaz of Zambales, in 10th place with P153.7 million.

Outgoing Speaker Prospero Nograles reported a net worth of P75.7 million, with P75.8 million in liabilities. His net worth was P88.2 million in 2008 and P67.4 million in 2007.

Former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said his net worth was only P62 million, with P1.5 million liabilities. He reported P62.7 million net worth in 2008.   –Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star)