Forbes has released the list of this year’s richest billionaires, with the Philippines claiming 20 of its own names on the roster, up from last year’s 17.
Real estate tycoon and former senator Manny Villar remains the richest Filipino with a net worth of US$8.3 billion (about PHP426.99 billion), thanks to his property development firm Vista Land & Lifescapes which develops a wide range of subdivisions, condominiums, malls, and retail chains. Villar ranks 263 on Forbes’ global list.
Ports operator Enrique Razon Jr. retains his second-richest spot with a net worth of US$6.7 billion (around PHP343.77 billion). Meanwhile, tied for third place are Henry Sy, Jr. of SM Investments and Andrew Tan of Alliance Global Group, with a net worth each of US$2.8 billion (PHP144.06 billion).
The rest of the Sy siblings took up most of the spots: Hans and Herbert Sy were each recorded with a net worth of US$2.6 billion (PHP133.77 billion), while Harley and Teresita Sy-Coson were tied at the fifth rank with a net worth of US$2.4 billion each (PHP123.48 billion). Elizabeth Sy reportedly has a fortune of US$2.1 billion (PHP108.05 billion).
Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation president and vice chairman Ramon Ang rounded up the top 10 list with a recorded net worth of US$2 billion (PHP102.9 billion).
JG Summits’ Lance Gokongwei, the only son of the late founder John Gokongwei Jr., followed suit with a net worth of US$1.6 billion (PHP82.32 billion).
Meanwhile, Tony Tan Caktiong, founder of Jollibee, the beloved Filipino chain rapidly expanding worldwide, was recorded with a net worth of US$1.3 billion (PHP66.89 million).
Betty Ang of Monde Nissin, conglomerate tycoon Lucio Tan, and Converge ICT Solutions’ Maria Grace Uy were each estimated to have a net worth of US$1.2 billion (PHP61.73 billion).
Nari, Ramesh, and Sunder Genomal of Page Industries, best known as one of the world’s biggest licensees for underwear maker Jockey, as well as Converge ICT’s Dennis Anthony Uy completed the list with an estimated net worth of US$1 billion (PHP51.29 billion) each.
Forbes listed 2,668 billionaires around the world, lower than last year’s count of 2,755.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk emerged as the richest worldwide with a net worth of US$219 billion.
READ: Manny Villar, second-richest in PH, receives a kamote ‘cake’ for his birthday
