Villar is now Philippines’ richest man: Forbes

March 6, 2019

Former Senator Manny Villar is the Philippine's richest man  according to Forbes' 2019 list of world's billionaires on Tuesday.

Villar  has a net worth of $5.5 billion and ranked 317th worldwide.

He is the chairman of Starmalls, one of the largest mall operators in the country, and the country's largest local home-builder company Vista & Landscapes. He also owns Golden Bria, a condominium and housing developer. 

The 69-year-old emerged as this year's richest in the country surpassing shopping mall tycoon Henry Sy who passed away last January. Sy held the top spot in Forbes as the country's wealthiest for 11 years.

Following Villar is JG Summit founder John Gokongwei Jr. with $5.1 billion net worth and ranked second in the country and 343rd worldwide. 

International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) chairman and Solaire  Casino and Resort owner Enrique Razon Jr. placed third with $4.8 billion net worth. He is ranked 379th in the list of world's wealthiest.

The rest of the Philippines' richest are:

Lucio Tan with $4.4 billion

Tony Tan Caktiong and family with $3.9 billion

Ramon Ang with $2.9 billion

Andrew Tan with $2.7 billion

Hans Sy and Robert Sy both with $2.4 billion

Harley Sy, Henry Sy, Jr., and Teresita Sy-Coson all with $2.2 billion

Elizabeth Sy with $1.9 billion

Eduardo Cojuangco and Robert Coyiuto Jr. with $1.4 billlion

Ricardo Po Sr. and family with $1.2 billion

Roberto Ongpin with $1.1 billion

Jeff Bezos, Amazon' founder, is still the world's richest man with a net worth of $131 billion. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is in second with $96.5 billion net worth and stock market investor  Warren Buffet in third with $82.5 billion net worth.  Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS