1-PACMAN Rep. Romero still wealthiest solon

1-PACMAN party-list Representative Michael Romero remains the richest lawmaker in the House of Representatives in the 17th Congress, based on the summary of the congressmen's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

Romero has declared a total net worth of P7.86 billion as of December 31, 2018, which is P570 million more than his total disclosed wealth on the previous year of P7.29 billion.

Romero reported total assets amounting to P7.93 billion and total liabilities of P75 million.

Romero has recently been elected as president of the 54-member Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., which has vowed to vote as one bloc in the election of the next House Speaker.

Following Romero in the top five richest congressmen are Negros Occidental Representative Alfredo Benitez (3rd district), with total net worth of P1.02 billion; former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos (2nd district), with P924 million; former Speaker and Quezon City Representative Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (4th district), with P865 million; and Manila Teachers party-list Representative Virgilio Lacson, with P794 million.

Completing the top 10 richest congressmen are:

• Marikina City 1st District Representative Bayani Fernando (P748 million)
• Davao del Norte 2nd District Representative Antonio Floirendo (P715 million)
• Batangas 6th District Representative Vilma Santos-Recto (P555 million)
• Leyte 1st District Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez (P488 million)
• Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (P479 million)

Meanwhile, at only P85,400, Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago remains as the House lawmaker with the least total net worth. She declared total assets amounting to P172,552 and total liabilities at P87,152.

Following her are Kabayan party-list Representative Paul Hernandez, with total net worth of P340,000, Camarines Sur Representative Gabriel Bordado Jr. (3rd district), with P515,658.72; Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas, with P518,660, and Diwa party-list Representative Pepito Pico, with P680,000.

The next five congressmen with the least net worth are:

• ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro (P912,809.05)
• Anakpawis party-list Representative Ariel Casilao (P913,350.91)
• COOP-NATCCO party-list Representative Sabiniano Canama (P1.5 million)
• Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate (P1.7 million)
• Gabriela Women's Party Representative Emmi De Jesus (P1.9 million)

Section 8(a) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees requires public servants to file their SALN within 30 days after assuming position, on or before April 30 of every following year, and within 30 days after separation from service.

In the SALN, the assets such as land, houses, and cash, liabilities including personal or institutional loans, and the business and financial interests of a government official, his or her spouse and unmarried children under 18 years old still living in the household are declared under oath.

The summary of the lawmakers' 2018 SALN can be found here. — KBK, GMA News