SUPREME COURT Associate Justice Francis H. Jardeleza remains the magistrate with the highest net worth, as the SC, on Friday, disclosed the summary of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of the 15-member court.

Mr. Jardeleza declared a net worth of P252.16 million, which shows an increase of P2.49 million from his 2015 SALN. His real estate properties are worth P58.9 million and personal property at P193.2 million. Mr. Jardeleza, who filed his SALN jointly with his wife, Concepcion L. Jardelza, declared that he has no liabilities at the time of the filing.

Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen also remained as the “poorest” magistrate as his SALN showed his net worth of P2.49 million, recording an increase of P220,000 from his last year’s SALN.

Two of the newest members of the Court also posted their SALN since their assumption of duties. Former Sandiganbayan Associate Justice, and now SC Associate Justice Samuel R. Martires’s net worth is P40.77 million, while Associate Justice Noel G. Tijam, former member of the appellate court — has a net worth is P15.97 million.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno declared a net worth of P24.5 million, which recorded an increase of P2.01 million from her 2015 SALN which declared P22.17 million.

Meanwhile, Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin posted the highest increase in net worth. His 2016 SALN pegged his net worth at P41.3 million, netting an increase of P12.14 million from his 2015 SALN.

Most of the justices’ net worth posted an increase from P200,000 to P4 million.

The summary of the justices’ SALN was signed by SC Clerk of Court Felipe B. Anama.

This is the third time that the SC has made public the SALN of the justices, following the clamor for greater transparency at the high court since the height of controversy involving the late former Chief Justice Renato C. Corona.

Mr. Corona was impeached by the Senate on May 29, 2012 for failing to declare his net worth properly.

The first-ever summary of SALNs was released on June 11, 2015, in time with the high court’s 114th anniversary. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

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