Photo courtesy of Senate of the Philippines
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Mark Villar richest among 19 senators who submitted SALNs

The SALN serves as a public accountability document that details a government official’s assets, liabilities, business interests and relatives in government.

Lade Jean Kabagani

Nineteen senators have so far made public their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), with Sen. Mark Villar emerging as the wealthiest member of the upper chamber with a declared net worth of P1.261 billion and no liabilities.

As of this week, 24 senators have granted the media access to their SALNs, according to the Senate secretary’s office.

The latest batch to release their wealth declarations included Sens. Francis Escudero, Panfilo Lacson, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Pia Cayetano, Bam Aquino, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, JV Ejercito, Lito Lapid, Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada.

Earlier, Sens. Vicente Sotto III, Robin Padilla, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan also made their SALNs public.

Meanwhile, the SALNs of Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go, Rodante Marcoleta and Imee Marcos remaines undisclosed as of press time.

Raffy Tulfo declared a net worth of P1.05 billion as of 31 December 2024, making him the second richest among those who disclosed their documents. He listed no liabilities, with P376.8 million in real properties and P676.17 million in personal assets. His wife, Jocelyn Tulfo, and several relatives also hold government positions.

His brother, Erwin Tulfo, who joined the Senate after the May 2025 elections, declared a net worth of P497 million, with P159.3 million in liabilities and P656.3 million in total assets as of 31 December 2024.

Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri reported a net worth of P431.78 million, attributing an increase to the sale of shares in Bukidnon Power Corp. and North Bukidnon Power Corp. to Vivant Energy.

Camille Villar listed a net worth of P362.07 million with no liabilities.

Panfilo Lacson declared P244.94 million in net worth, with interests in multiple corporations, including MegaStar Agri-Farming Corp. and Solarestate Marketing Corp.

Robinhood Padilla has P244.04 million in assets with no liabilities. He also listed several relatives in government service.

Jinggoy Estrada declared a net worth of P221.2 million, which includes P17.4 million for a lot, P30.04 million for a residential house and lot, P97.1 million in investments and P6.2 million in personal properties. He also reported P31.4 million in liabilities.

Lito Lapid reported P202.04 million, while Joel Villanueva declared P49.5 million in net worth. Francis Escudero listed P18.84 million, the smallest among the batch, with no declared liabilities.

His daughter, Maan Krista Lapid, is an immigration officer; son Mark Lapid is chief operating officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority; son Maynard is a councilor in Porac, Pampanga; brother Arturo is barangay chairman of Barangay Poblacion, Porac, Pampanga; while brother Remberto Lapid and nephew John DX S. Lapid both work in the Senate.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III declared total assets amounting to P465.6 million and liabilities, including loans and other payables, of P276.74 million, resulting in a net worth of P188.87 million.

In his declaration, Sotto listed several properties and possessions, including three houses and lots, an agricultural property, two residential lots, a condominium unit with parking space, a commercial condominium unit, as well as cash, vehicles, sporting equipment, household furniture and appliances.

Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has a net worth of P137 million, with total assets of P179 million and P41.9 million worth of liabilities as of 31 December 2024.

He has assets valued at P179,065,861.12, of which P77,515,861.12 are personal properties and P101,550,000 are real properties. He declared liabilities of P41,992,401.49. His brother, Jinggoy, is a senator.

He declared business interests in Buildworth Development Corp.; Meiji Inc.; Icescapade; 8EJJE Trading Corp.; Frozen Nation Corp.; Frozen Planet Corp.; GTWJ Food Corp.; Frozen Republic Corp.; and 8LEO Inc.

Pia Cayetano declared a net worth of P128.3 million. Her SALN shows P22,793,690.41 in liabilities and no real properties.

Cayetano listed P151,088,656.14 in personal properties. She also disclosed business interests in the following entities: Sampil Holdings Corp.; Tagaytay Highlands Golf Club Inc.; Cayetano Family Foundation Inc.; Pateros Development Corp.; Parcay Ventures Inc.; Slarep Development Inc.; Localbooks Inc.; Gabriel’s Symphony Foundation Inc.; The Palm Country Club; Splendido Taal A; Maxicollector Ventures Inc.; Hanep Buhay Foundation Inc.; Companero Rene Cayetano Foundation Inc.; Murfin Holdings Corp.; Tatooine Consultancy and Holdings Corp.; Otakobar Inc.; Maxigroup Inc.; LSC Corp.; Team Pia Inc.; HC Amber Athletics Inc.; and Bayani Gourmet Cuisine Inc.

Her brother, Alan Peter Cayetano, also serves as a senator, while her sister-in-law, Lani Cayetano, is the mayor of Taguig City.

Sherwin Gatchalian declared P89.5 million, including condominium units worth P40 million and multiple stock investments.

Bam Aquino reported P86.55 million with no liabilities.

Loren Legarda listed P79.21 million in net worth.

Joel Villanueva declared a net worth of P49.5 million as of 31 December. He declared assets worth P72,505,360, of which P26,255,325 are personal properties and P46,250,035 are real properties.

Villanueva and his wife, Gladys, declared business interests, though the names of the companies were redacted from the copy released to the media.

His father, Bro. Eduardo Villanueva, is a congressman; brother Eduardo Villanueva Jr. is Bocaue, Bulacan mayor; brother-in-law Sherwin Tugna is Bocaue, Bulacan vice mayor; cousin Glory Villanueva is a court attorney in the Supreme Court; and another cousin, Ranulfo M. Jose, is head teacher at Prenza National High School in Marilao, Bulacan.

At the lower end of the list are Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan with P26.7 million, followed by Risa Hontiveros, who declared P18.98 million in net worth. Hontiveros’ assets were mainly composed of her residence and personal savings.

Francis “Chiz” Escudero posted the lowest net worth among the 19 senators who filed, at P18.84 million, reflecting P11.7 million in cash and inherited properties.

The SALN serves as a public accountability document that details a government official’s assets, liabilities, business interests and relatives in government. It also authorizes the Office of the Ombudsman to verify asset and tax declarations with relevant agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Land Registration Authority.