Businessman and former senator Manny Villar has topped Forbes 2019 list of the Philippines’ richest with a net worth of $5.5 billion.
His wealth grew from $5 billion from last year and now ranks 317th in the world’s billionaire list.
Villar took over the ranking of Henry Sy Sr who topped the list for 11 years in a row.
The former politician started to take a sidestep from Philippine politics when he lost the presidential race in May 2010 as the standard bearer of the Nacionalista Party.
Currently, Villar is the chairman of Starmalls and founder of Vista and Landscapes.
Below are the Philippines’ richest people in Forbes 2019 list:
- Manny Villar ($5.5 billion)
- John Gokongwei Jr ($5.1 billion)
- Enrique Razon Jr. ($4.8 billion)
- Lucio Tan ($4.4 billion)
- Tony Tan Caktiong and family ($3.9 billion)
- Ramon Ang ($2.9 billion)
- Andrew Tan ($.27 billion)
- Hans Sy and Robert Sy ($2.4 billion)
- Harley Sy, Henry Sy, Jr., and Teresita Sy-Coson ($2.2 billion)
- Elizabeth Sy ($1.9 billion)
- Eduardo Cojuangco and Robert Coyiuto, Jr. ($1.4 billion)
- Ricardo Po Sr. and family ($1.2 billion)
- Roberto Ongpin ($1.1 billion)