Villars richest, Chiz poorest senator

MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing Sen. Manny Villar and his wife, Senator-elect Cynthia Villar, remain as the richest couple in the Senate after they posted about P1.45 billion in total net worth for 2012, making them the only billionaire lawmakers.

Based on their joint statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) in 2012, the Villar couple’s net worth reached P1.453 billion, with no liabilities.

Out of their total net worth, about P1 billion was described as part of investments in shares of stocks in their family-owned corporations, namely Fine Properties Inc., M.B. Villar Co. Inc., Macys Inc., Mooncrest Property, Hollinger Holdings, and Starmalls Inc.

In 2011, the Villar couple – who own a real estate empire – posted their combined net worth at P854,213,716.

In 2009, the couple’s net worth was placed at P947,883,619 but this went down to P725,221,964 in 2010.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ralph Recto and his wife, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, posted P530,573,252.53 in assets, with P62.1 million in liabilities as of Dec. 31, 2012. Their total net worth was pegged at P468,467,036.10.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the only son of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos and Rep. Imelda Marcos, was third on the list of the richest senators, reflecting a total net worth of P437.2 million.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, former action star and son of Manila mayor-elect Joseph Estrada, posted P193.58 million in total net worth.

Estrada’s assets reached P215.24 million while his liabilities were pegged at P21.66 million.

Another action star, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., is the fifth richest in the Senate after he and his wife, actress and re-elected Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, posted assets amounting to P251.79 million, and liabilities of P169.14 million in the same period. Their total net worth was placed at P169.1 million.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, who is on his last term, lands in the sixth spot with total net worth amounting to P159 million. Angara’s assets were placed at P229 million while he incurred liabilities of P69.925 million.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and wife Cristina posted about P118.63 million in total net worth, followed by Sen. Sergio Osmeña III whose net worth reached P111.77 million.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago posted assets amounting to P147.69 million and liabilities totaling P70 million, placing her total net worth at P77.69 million.

Rounding up the top 10 richest senators is Sen. Pia Cayetano, whose net worth reached about P72.9 million, the sum total of her assets pegged at P79.8 million and liabilities at P6.840 million.

The next 10 in the list are: Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III (P62.2 million), Sen. Franklin Drilon (P51.7 million), Loren Legarda (P46 million), Teofisto Guingona III (P43.5 million), Panfilo Lacson (P28.86 million), Manuel Lapid (P26 million), Alan Peter Cayetano (P23.3 million), Gregorio Honasan (P21 million), Aquilino Martin Pimentel III (P16.9 million), and Francis Pangilinan (P14.375 million).

Both Legarda and Sotto’s SALNs reflected that they each have a property in the United States.

Senators Joker Arroyo (P11 million), Antonio Trillanes IV (P4.432 million), and Francis Joseph Escudero (P4.017 million) complete the list of Senate millionaires.

Separation declared

In his 2012 SALN, Pimentel declared that he had separated from his wife, former beauty queen Jewel May Lobaton.

Pimentel joins the ranks of Escudero, Legarda and Pia Cayetano who are separated from their spouses.

Lapid, for his part, declared that his wife Marissa was unable to sign the 2012 SALN because she is currently out of country.