By Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola

Senator Cynthia Villar is still the Senate’s richest member with a net worth of P3.53 billion as of June 30, 2019.

An updated summary of the senators’ Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) obtained from the Senate’s website Wednesday included updated SALNs from some senators following the midterm elections last May.

Villar’s wealth, however, declined by P185.52 million from the P3.72 billion she declared last year. Still, the Senate race topnotcher remains the richest among her colleagues, posting no liabilities.

Based on his December 31, 2018 SALN, boxing icon, and Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao is also a billionaire posting a net worth of P3 billion. He declared P3.153 billion of assets, and some P146 million in liabilities. In 2017, he had a net worth of P2.946 billion.

Third richest was Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto with a net worth of P555.32 million as of December 31, 2018. He listed assets worth P645.1 million and liabilities worth P89.82 million.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, is still in fourth place, declaring a net worth of P182.85 million. He follows Pacquiao in terms of largest declared liabilities at P133.32 million.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla joins the roster of the richest senators with a net worth of P164.2 million as of June 30, 2019, posting assets worth P202.19 million and liabilities worth P37.9 million.

Also in the top 10 are: Sen. Sonny Angara with a net worth of P139.03 million (as of June 30, 2019); Minority leader Sen. Franklin Drilon with P97.73 million (as of Dec. 2018); Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian with P96.21 million (as of Dec. 2018); Sen. Grace Poe with P95.69 million (as of June 30, 2019); and Sen. Pia Cayetano with P82.31 million (as of July 1, 2019).

In the 11th place is Sen.Richard Gordon with P71.28 million (as of Dec. 2018); followed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III with P70.12 million (as of Dec. 2018); Sen. Manuel Lapid with P69.91 million (as of June 2019); Sen. Francis Tolentino with P62.48 million (as of June 2019); and Sen. Nancy Binay at 15th place with P59.91 million (as of June 2019).

In 16th to 20th places are: Sen. Panfilo Lacson with P42.44 million (as of Dec. 2018); Sen. Imee Marcos P29.97 million (as of June 2019); Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III with P29.93 million (as of June 2019); Sen. Ronald dela Rosa with P28.26 million (as of June 2019); and Sen. Joel Villanueva P26.92 million (as of Dec. 2018).

Opposition Sens. Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros ranked at the bottom of the 24-member Upper Chamber in terms of wealth with about P16.7 million and P15.63 million net worths, respectively.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is also at the bottom with a declared net worth of only P15.51 million as of June 30.

The former presidential special assistant was among the highest spenders during the May elections, spending P161.4 million based on the Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) he submitted to the Commission on Elections.

But of the senatorial candidates, he received the highest amount of contributions of more than P162 million.

Detained Sen. Leila de Lima is now the “poorest” senator, with a net worth of P7.7 million as of Dec. 2018.