MANILA, Philippines – Former Senate President Manny Villar is still the richest man in the Philippines, and ranks 190th as the "richest billionaire in the world" for 2024, the only Filipino to have made it to the list of the top 200, according to Forbes' 38th Billionaire's List.
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| Manny Villar retains "Richest Man in the Philippines" title. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Manny Villar |
Villar’s net worth soared to $11 billion or ₱619.2 billion, after it increased by $2.4 billion (₱135.1 billion) from his recorded $8.6 billion net worth in 2023. Villar's rank rose again to 42nd as one of the wealthiest billionaires in the world, from his previous position of 232nd in 2023.
Villar currently serves as the chairperson of property developer Vista Land & Lifescapes, VistaREIT, AllHome Corporation, AllDay Marts Inc., Golden MV Holdings Inc., and ALLTV, the new TV network that occupies the former frequency of ABS-CBN.
Other Filipinos joining him in the list are:
Ramon S. Ang ($3.5 billion), ranked 920th globally
Hans Sy ($2.6 billion), ranked 1,286th
siblings Henry Sy, Jr. and Herbert Sy along with Lucio Tan ($2.5 billion), ranked 1,330th
Harley Sy ($2.4 billion), ranked 1,380th
Teresita Sy-Coson ($2.3 billion), ranked 1,438th
Elizabeth Sy ($2.1 billion), ranked 1,545th
Andrew Tan ($2 billion), ranked 1,623rd
Tony Tan Caktiong ($1.4 billion), ranked 2,152nd
and newly included in the list, the couple Lucio Co ($1.2 billion), ranked 2,410th and his wife Susan Co ($1.1 billion) ranked 2,545th.
Lucio Co and Susan Co own Cosco Capital, Puregold Price Club, The Keepers Holdings, and the Philippine Bank of Communications, tying with Lance Gokongwei ($1.1 billion).
Meanwhile, the wealthiest billionaire in the world is Bernard Arnault, the owner of high-end brands such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Sephora, with a net worth of $233 billion. Following him are Elon Musk ($195 billion) of X (and others), and Jeff Bezos ($194 billion).
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
