TWO Party-list representatives and a lawmaker from Negros Occidental emerged as the top three richest members of the House of Representatives, with net worth amounting to billions of pesos each.
1 Pacman Party-list Representative Michael Odylon "Mikee" Romero is still the richest member of the House with a net worth of P7.291 billion, a summary of his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) for 2017 revealed.
Romero's total assets amounted to P7.328 billion while his liabilities reached only P37 million. His 2016 net worth was P7.009 billion.
Romero is followed by outgoing Diwa Party-list Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar with a declared net worth of P1.407 billion.
Aglipay-Villar, wife of Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, was recently appointed as Department of Justice undersecretary.
The third richest member of the House of Representatives is Congressman Alfredo "Albee" Benitez of the third district of Negros Occidental. His declared net worth is P 1.005 billion.
Other members who are on the list of top 10 richest in the House are millionaires.
Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos is the fourth richest with P920.8 million followed by Quezon City 4th District Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. with P861.04 million.
Completing the list of the top 10 richest solons are: Virgilio Lacson (Manila Teachers Party-list), P791.69 million; Bayani Fernando (Marikina City 1st District), P739 million; Vilma Santos Recto (Batangas 6th District), P538.89 million; Antonio Floirendo Jr. (Davao del Norte 2nd District), P523.73 million; and Yedda Marie Romualdez (Leyte 1st District), P478.24 million.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez reported a net worth of P91.69 million, while House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas listed his net worth at P169.98 million.
The lawmaker with the lowest net worth is Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago with P75,800.
Other members of the Makabayan bloc are also among the poorest lawmakers at the House of Representatives.
The poorest lawmakers after Elago and their net worth are: Teodoro Montoro (Asenso Party-list), P2.19 million; Benhur Lopez Jr. (Yacap Party-list), P1.985 million; Carlos Isagani Zarate, (Bayan Muna Party-list), P1.65 million; France Castro, (ACT Teachers Party-list), P1.39 million; Emmi de Jesus, (Gabriela Party-list), P1.30 million; Ariel Casilao, (Anakpawis Party-list), P1.095 million; Sabiniano Canama (Coop-Natcco Party-list), P1.07 million; Gabriel Bordado Jr. (Camarines Sur 3rd District), P563,445; and Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Party-list), P514,660. (SunStar Philippines)