Sonny still richest city mayor in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Toledo City Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña is the richest among the city mayors in Cebu with a net worth of P142.1 million, according to his 2014 Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth.

Osmeña’s wealth came from his real properties, which include agricultural lots in Tuburan town and Pangamihan, Toledo City. He also listed residential lots in Los Baños, Laguna and Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, house and lot in Silay City, Negros Occidental, and condominium units in Maryville and Ayala.

His personal properties include P10.9 million cash in bank, Toyota Hilux and Isuzu Altera, stocks investment, household furniture and appliances. Osmeña declared a total asset of P163.9 million and P21.8 million liabilities.

Osmeña is a stockholder of Pamplona Plantation Holdings, Pamplona Plantation Golf and Country Club, Pamplona Plantation Leisure Corp., and Pueblo de Pamplona, Inc. all in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

He only listed Senator Sergio Osmeña III as his relative in government service.

His wealth, however, decreased by about P6 million from P148.68 million in 2013.

Osmeña was followed by Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. with P32.2 million in actual wealth. Martinez has total assets of P38.3 million and P6.1 million in liabilities. He listed no business interest and financial connections.

His son, Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, is the incumbent president of the Federation of the Associations of the Barangay Councils in the province.

Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano III is in the third place with P26.2 million net worth.

Durano has total assets of P27.2 million composed of residential, agricultural, mineral and industrial lots in Taytay, Guinsay, Dunggoan, Cahumayan, Mantija, Dungga, and Sabang, all in Danao City. He declared a total of P1 million liability.

Durano has no business interest and financial connections. He has 13 relatives in the government service.

 Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura comes next with P22.2 million net worth. He owns a restaurant in Valladolid, poultry contract growing in Buenavista and shoemaking in Valladolid, all in Carcar City.

 Apura’s son, Anthony John Apura, is a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Carcar City.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has P21 million net worth. He has P28.2 million total assets and P7.2 million liabilities. He is engaged in Cortwalk General Merchandise.  He has seven relatives in the government service.

 Talisay City Mayor Johny De Los Reyes has P10 million actual wealth. He has total assets of P12 million and P2 million liabilities.

 De los Reyes is connected with JVR Industries in Bulacao, Talisay City and JVR Island in the Sky Resort in Ga-as, Balamban, Cebu. He has three relatives in the government service.

 Among the city mayors who submitted their SALN before the Office of the Ombudsman, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is the poorest with only P4.7 million net worth.

 His assets include a residential land in Basak San Nicolas worth P5 million, cash in bank, pieces of jewelry, investment, furniture and stocks. He has P350,000 liability. Rama has seven relatives in the government service. (FREEMAN)