AS expected, boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is the richest lawmaker not just in the House of Representatives but in the entire Congress.

Based on his 2010 Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Pacquiao has a net worth of P1.13 billion with no liabilities.

The eight-title holder, who  joined politics for the first time in 2010, is even richer than Sen. Manny Villar who for nine consecutive years is the country’s wealthiest lawmaker.

Pacquiao earned $32 million from his  fights with Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in March 2010 and Mexican Antonio Margarito in November of the same year.

Another neophyte, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez is the second richest with P624.84 million net worth with only P55 million liabilities.

Benitez, whose family runs the Bingo games in various malls, is a former businessman.

Former First Lady now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos is in third place with P623.6 million net worth while his nephew, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, is fifth placer with P475.6 million net worth. Both have no liabilities.

Fourth placer is Negros Occidental Rep. Jules Ledesma, who is always absent from the session and never attended any single committee hearings since he was re-elected, with P555 million net worth and P102 million liabilities.

Completing the top 10 are Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco, P294.6 million net worth, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., P283.2 million; Tarlac Rep. Enrique Cojuangco, P199 million; Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, P195 million and Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel Biron, P165.9 million.

Meanwhile, former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the richest among the four Arroyos in Congress with P140.2 million net worth and P34 million liabilities. She is in 17th spot.

She is followed by Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, in 18th spot, with P137 million net worth and P10 million liabilities.    Jester P. Manalastas