Based on the Summary Report of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) for the House of Representatives submitted, the 10 wealthiest Congressmen of the Philippines for 2011 were the following:
1. Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao (Sarangani) – P 1.134 billion
2. Alfredo B. Benitez (Negros Occidental) – P 624.827 million
3. Imelda R. Marcos (Ilocos Norte) – P 623.6 million
4. Julio A. Ledesma IV (Negros Occidental) – P 555.07 million
5. Martin G. Romualdez (Leyte) – P 475.61 million
6. Augusto L. Syjuco Jr. (Iloilo) – P 294.6 million
7. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Quezon City, House Speaker) – P 283.29 million
8. Enrique M. Cojuangco (Tarlac) – P 199.59 million
9. Rodolfo C. Farinas (Ilocos Norte) – P 195.78 million
10. Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo) – P 165.99 million
The list changes for 2012 with some gaining huge increases in net worth. The richest ten in the House of Representatives are shown below:
1. Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao (Sarangani) – P 1.353 billion
2. Imelda R. Marcos (Ilocos Norte) – P 932.8 million
3. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Quezon City, House Speaker) – P 726.2 million
4. Alfredo B. Benitez (Negros Occidental) – P 686.2 million
5. Julio A. Ledesma IV (Negros Occidental) – P 555.1 million
6. Martin G. Romualdez (Leyte) – P 474.1 million
7. Augusto L. Syjuco Jr. (Iloilo) – P 302.1 million
8. Enrique M. Cojuangco (Tarlac) – P 200.6 million
9. Rodolfo C. Farinas (Ilocos Norte) – P 195.8 million
10. Joel Roy R. Duavit (Rizal) – P 194.1 million
It is very evident that Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos's net worth jumped by almost 50% in just one year, acquiring more than 300 million PHP in wealth. It may be recalled that two years ago, Inquirer reported that then PCGG Commissioner Ricardo Abcede claimed Imelda confessed to hiding $1 trillion in an account in New York; the article can be read here.
House Speaker Belmonte's net worth more than doubled in just one year, receiving 442.91 million PHP at just a short span of time. Moreover, there are only less than 10 House of Representative members who earn less than one (1) million PHP. This goes to show that we have filthy rich politicos in the country who represent the interests of the common people (masa). Would you believe that?
House Speaker Belmonte's net worth more than doubled in just one year, receiving 442.91 million PHP at just a short span of time. Moreover, there are only less than 10 House of Representative members who earn less than one (1) million PHP. This goes to show that we have filthy rich politicos in the country who represent the interests of the common people (masa). Would you believe that?
What type of owned-businesses could have earned more than 200 million in just one year? In my opinion, there could only be three reasons for such a luxurious raise in wealth, either something was kept off the records and then eventually released the other year, someone was very fortunate enough to raise his/her net worth, or some irregularity has been committed. Choose your pick.
The SALNs of our PUBLIC officials need to be monitored to check who's got clear intentions of helping their own countrymen without resorting to uncommon, immoral means of power abuse. Any mischievous wrongdoing has to be corrected for the nation to continuously prosper.
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