Pacman’s net worth dips, but still tops Imelda

MANILA, Philippines - World boxing idol and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is still the richest member of the House of Representatives despite a huge dip in his net worth, based on his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) for 2013.

Pacquiao, who is battling a P2.2-billion tax assessment case filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), saw his net worth decline to P1,345,499,575 or by over P425 million last year.

Earlier this month, the Court of Tax Appeals gave the congressman an indefinite period to raise a P4.9-billion surety bond in connection with the tax case. Pacquiao had complained that the deficiency tax assessment of the BIR was more than his net worth.

The Office of the Secretary General of the House released a summary of the lawmakers’ SALNs for 2013 late Monday. The individual SALN of House members are released only upon a formal request and with the permission of the concerned lawmaker.

Leyte Rep. Imelda Marcos is the second richest lawmaker with a declared net worth of P922,800,000, which was curiously unchanged from 2012.

She was followed by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte with a declared net worth of P819,749,339.10.

Fourth richest is Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez who has a net worth P713,875,030.

Negros Occidental Rep. Julio Ledesma IV, who declared a net worth of P617,325,558 is the fifth richest congressman.

In sixth place is Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar whose net worth jumped to P526,449,720 from P361,782,107 in 2012.

Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez ranked seventh with a net worth of P475,002,017.59; followed by Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit whose declared net worth is P272,975,347.95.

In ninth place is Tarlac Rep. Enrique Cojuangco with a net worth of P217,520,823.16.

Rounding up the top 10 richest in the House is neophyte congressman Zajid Mangudadatu of Maguindanao, who declared a net worth of P215,849,950. He is a brother of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu.

Angkla party-list Rep. Jesulito Manalo is the richest party-list congressman, who declared a net worth of P102.4 million.

The poorest lawmaker based on his SALN for 2013 is Anakpawis party-list Rep. Fernando Hicap with only P37,722.39.

Second poorest is Abakada-Guro party-list Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz, who declared a net worth of P550,000.

Other non-millionaires in the chamber are Reps. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands); Abigail Faye Ferriol (Kalinga party-list); and James Mark Terry Ridon (Kabataan party-list).