Jardeleza still richest Supreme Court justice

MANILA, Philippines — Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza remains the wealthiest member of the Supreme Court, government disclosures showed.

Jardeleza declared a total net worth of P261 million in 2017, a jump of almost P9 million since his 2016 declaration.

Before joining the high tribunal, Jardeleza was the country’s solicitor general. His profile on the SC’s website notes that prior to working in government, Jardeleza “had [an] extensive private law practice.”

He also served as senior vice president and general counsel of San Miguel Corp. from 1996 to 2010.

Following Jardeleza, Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo is the second wealthiest member of the SC with a net worth of P141.54 million.

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa comes in thrid with a net worth of P123.8 million.

Biggest jump in net worth: Carpio

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio posted the highest gain in cash and assets among the justices, posting a jump of P23.34 million in his net worth.

For 2017, Carpio declared a net worth of P105 million, against P82,64 million the previous year.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen still has the least net worth among the justices. According to his wealth declaration document, Leonen has P2.96 million, which shows a P479,102.65-jump from last year’s disclosure.

Meanwhile, Associate Justices Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Jardeleza, Caguioa and Martires posted zero liabilities.

Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was booted out of the SC when her colleagues granted the government’s quo warranto plea against her, declared a net worth of P27.34 million.

Retired Chief Justice Teresita De Castro meanwhile declared a net worth of “more or less” P19.77 million in her 2017 SALN.