Las Pinas City Rep. Cynthia Villar, wife of defeated presidential bet Sen. Manuel Villar, became poorer by over P98 million in 2009 but she remained the richest member of the House of Representatives that year.

But the names of the lawmaker couple may no longer be on top of the list of the wealthiest in both Houses of Congress this year.

Reports have indicated that the Villars spent at least P1 billion to bankroll the senator’s presidential bid.

In a list of statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) released by the House on Thursday, Rep. Villar’s name remained on top as the House member who reported the biggest net assets in 2009.

She reported a net worth of P947,883,619 with no liabilities.

In 2008, the lady lawmaker also did not have a single centavo listed in the liability column while her total assets were placed at P1,046,651,683, making her the richest congresswoman that year.

Tarlac Rep. Monica “Nikki” Prieto-Teodoro, wife of presidential candidate former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, was ranked sixth richest in the 2009 list.

Rep. Prieto-Teodoro declared a net worth of P231,253,585, after deducting P70 million liabilities from her total assets of P301,253,585.

Party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano, whose organization Anakpawis represents the peasants and labor force, is still the poorest member of the House. His listed net worth is P42,219.

Mariano and eight other congressmen are the only non-millionaires in the chamber. The others are Reps. Teodoro Casino, P118,000; Joel Maglungsod, P145,000; Raymond Palatino, P150,000; Raymond Mendoza, P270,000; Narciso Santiago III, P700,000; Adam Relson Jala, P782,000 and Jonathan de la Cruz, P800,000.

Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles Jr. ranked No. 33 with a total net worth of P75,711,600.

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez ranked second among the wealthiest.

He declared a net worth of P477,263,295. Romualdez was the lawmaker who treated President Arroyo and members of the Philippine contingent to a million peso dinner during a visit in the United States.

Negros Occidental Rep. Julio “Jules” Ledesma, husband of movie star Assunta de Rossi, with in third spot with P124,450,000 liabilities against P571,979,000 assets resulting in P447,529,000 net worth.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., only son of late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, is No. 4 with P315,550,000 net worth. He just won a Senate seat.

Ilonggos Rep. Judy Syjuco and Ferjenel Biron were listed as the fifth and sixth wealthiest congressmen. Syjuco, wife of TESDA chairman Augusto Syjuco, declared a net worth of P288,514,367 while Biron declared P192,071,000.

Dinagat Island Rep. Glenda Ecleo is the eighth wealthiest with P166,400,000 net worth while Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales claimed a net worth of P158,488,810.

Zambales Rep. Antonio Diaz was listed as the tenth wealthiest with P153,718,046 net worth.

Among relatives of President Arroyo, her brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo is the richest, ranking no. 15. He claimed a net worth of P138,541,515 while his sister, Kasangga Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, declared P86,654,269, making her the 29th richest.

Presidential sons Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo of Pampanga has P102,246,025 while younger brother, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo declared P90,393,644, putting them in numbers 22 and 27, respectively. (Ben Rosario)