NATION | Rody declares P23.5-M net worth in 2015

Phl Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

GamiawNews File Photo | By Edith Regalado/Philstar

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte’s net worth slightly increased, according to a source close to him, as the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of Cabinet officials were reported ahead of the deadline for filing on April 30.

The President declared a total net worth of P23,514,569.93 in 2015 when he was still mayor of Davao City, documents he furnished The STAR showed.

The source, who is Duterte’s friend, said there could not be a big increase in the President’s worth after assuming office last June.

In his SALN for 2015, the President declared five real estate properties worth P925,000; two vehicles, P840,000; P14,839,569.93 in cash; household appliances and furniture, P350,000; jewelry, P300,000; investments, P3.9 million.

The President also listed a personal loan amounting to P1.2 million from one of his campaign supporters, Davao City businessman Samuel Uy.

Uy was among the top campaign donors of the President in the May 2016 elections. Total contributions for Duterte’s campaign reached P334 million based on his Statement of Contribution and Expenditure (SOCE) submitted to the Commission on Elections.

Uy was reported to have contributed P30 million to the President’s campaign fund.

Uy and Duterte are old friends. The businessman has been supporting Duterte since he started his political career in 1988 when he was first elected mayor of Davao City.
Cabinet’s worth

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has declared a total net worth of P261 million before she joined the Duterte administration.

In a chance interview with The STAR, Lopez said she submitted her SALN to Malacañang and the Office of the Ombudsman “several months ago.”

The environment secretary, who belongs to the wealthy Lopez clan, surprisingly has lower net worth compared to other members of Duterte’s Cabinet.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, former North Cotabato governor, declared total assets worth P33.5 million and liabilities amounting to P8.85 million.

Piñol’s net worth before he joined the administration totaled P24.64 million.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial had declared assets amounting to P4.1 million and P2.94 million in liabilities.

Ubial declared her real estate properties, vehicles, watches and jewelry, furniture and appliances and cash in bank amounting to P200,000 in her SALN. – With Elizabeth Marcelo, Sheila Crisostomo, Louise Maureen Simeon