MANILA, Philippines — 1-PACMAN party list Representative Michael Odylon Romero’s asset reaches more than seven billion pesos based on the 2016 statement of assets liabilities and net worth (SALN) released by the House of Representatives.

This makes him the richest lawmaker in the history of Congress.

Romero has not yet appeared in any congressional session since this year after the Manila Regional Trial Court released an arrest warrant against him over a P3.4-million qualified theft case.

Next to Romero with the biggest asset is DIWA party list Rep Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, the wife of Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.

Romero and Aglipay-Villar are the only billionaires in the almost 300 member 17th Congress of the House of Representatives.

Other considerably rich lawmakers includue Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos,and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte.

Ninth in the list of the richest solons is the top contributor of President Rodrigo Duterte — Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo, Jr.

While House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is on the 50th spot.

The poorest House member based on SALN is KABATAAN party list Rep. Sarah Elego, with an asset of only P50,000.

All employees and officials of the government are required to submit their SALN.

Those who fail to correctly declare their assets will face charges.

An example is the case of former Chief Justice Renato Corona who was impeached for misdeclaring his real properties and riches in his SALN. — Grace Casin | UNTV News & Rescue

The post Fugitive partylist representative tops Lower House SALN in 2016 appeared first on UNTV News.