The public disclosure of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) for Philippine Senators, reflecting their financial status as of December 31, 2024.
The legal requirement for this disclosure is mandatory under Republic Act No. 6713, which establishes the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. This legislation is rooted in the “time-honored principle of public office being a public trust,” compelling officials to file sworn declarations of their financial holdings and affirming the public’s inherent right to know this information. Despite this constitutional and statutory mandate, the public’s right was systematically curtailed by restrictive policies imposed by the previous administration of the Office of the Ombudsman, Samuel Martires. These prior rules had rendered the SALN “virtually impossible” to obtain unless the requesting party could secure notarized consent from the official, present a court order, or was acting as a field investigator for the Ombudsman.
The policy shift came when Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla decided to lift these years-long limitations, restoring the policy of open access. This administrative reversal was heavily praised by many within the political sphere. Senator Risa Hontiveros, a vocal proponent of transparency, was quick to welcome the change, labeling the previous limitations as “unjust, unconstitutional and anti-people”. She argued compellingly that making SALNs accessible strengthens public trust and serves as a vital tool to ensure that officials remain accountable for their actions. This political will for disclosure, with the majority of the Senate demonstrating compliance following the Ombudsman’s directive, established a powerful, necessary precedent.
The release of the 2024 SALNs definitively highlighted the profound financial disparities within the Senate, reinforcing the pattern of dynastic and corporate wealth dominating the chamber.
Senator Mark Villar emerged as the wealthiest member of the 20th Congress, declaring a net worth of P1,261,337,817 as of the end of 2024. At the bottom, Francis Escudero reported the lowest net worth at P18.8 million.
Here is the official list of our senators SALNs:
- Mark A. Villar: P1,261,337,817 (Zero Liabilities; 14 Real Properties)
- Raffy Tulfo (Spousal NW): P1,050,000,000+ (Combined with ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo)
- Erwin Tulfo: P497,000,000 (Assets P656M, Liabilities P159M)
- Juan Miguel Zubiri: P431,700,000 (Assets P631.7M, Liabilities P200M)
- Camille A. Villar: P362,073,052 (Zero Liabilities; 2 Real Properties)
- Panfilo Lacson: P244,900,000 (Assets P256.7M, Liabilities P11.8M)
- Robin Padilla: P244,000,000 (Declared no liabilities or debts)
- Jinggoy Estrada: P221,400,000 (Declared stocks in two real estate companies)
- Lito Lapid: P202,000,000 (Assets P294.3M, Liabilities P92.3M)
- Vicente Sotto III: P188,800,000 (Assets P465.6M, Liabilities P276.7M)
- Imee R. Marcos: P164,995,467 (Zero Liabilities; 6 properties inherited)
- JV Ejercito: P137,073,459 (Assets P179M, Liabilities P41.9M)
- Pia Cayetano: P128,294,965 (Assets P151M, Liabilities P22.8M)
- Alan Peter Cayetano: P109,130,757 (Liabilities P1.5M, Assets P110.6M)
- Sherwin Gatchalian: P89,500,000 (Two condos, stock investments, no liabilities)
- Bam Aquino: P86,553,651 (Assets P86.5M, Zero Liabilities)
- Loren Legarda: P79,210,952 (Assets P100.7M, Liabilities P21.5M)
- Rodante Marcoleta: P51,960,000 (Latest available net worth)
- Joel Villanueva: P49,500,000 (High liabilities P23M; undisclosed businesses)
- Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa: P32,293,018 (Assets P61.3M, Liabilities P29M)
- Francis Pangilinan: P26,738,000 (Assets P26.7M, Zero Liabilities; business interests in farming)
- Risa Hontiveros: P18,990,000 (Modest liabilities, car loan P897k)
- Francis J. Escudero: P18,800,000 (Lowest NW; cash and inherited properties)
