Billionaires Villar, Cusi are wealthiest in Duterte Cabinet

Two cabinet secretaries in President Rodrigo Duterte's official family are billionaires, according to their latest statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.

According to Maki Pulido's 24 Oras report on Friday, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar declared in his 2017 SALN a net worth of over P1.4 billion networth, making him the richest member of Duterte's cabinet.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi is also a billionaire with more than P1.3 billion in declared net worth.

The top 10 wealthiest members of the Duterte Cabinet and their net worth include:

• Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez  - P338,123,873
• Transportation (DOTr) Arthur Tugade - P303,233,620
• Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar  - P158,819,858.19
• Health Secretary Francisco Duque III - P120,138,954
• National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Ernesto Pernia - P109,000,741.10
• Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano  - P55,688,862
• Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez  - P49,800,000
• Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza - P49,054,011

Former Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo, who resigned from her post earlier this month, declared a net worth of P48,288,216.96.

Secretaries who have over P20 million in net worth also include Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol (P26,968,536.34); Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu (P26,503,447); and National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (P25,245,000).

Meanwhile, heads of agencies with wealth below P15 million but no less than P6 million include Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (P15,750,000); Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra (P14,329,495.71, as of April 7, upon his assumption); Presidential Legislative Liaison Secretary Adelino Sitoy (P9,662,810.75); Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (P7,657,141.16); Information and Communications Technology officer-in-charge Eliseo Rio  (P7,631,790.61); Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña (P7,561,000); and Education Secretary Leonor Briones (P6,668,136).

National Anti-Poverty Commission (NPAC) head Secretary Liza Maza declared the smallest net worth with P1,186,500.  —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News