3 billionaires in House

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 Rep. 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.