Wealth of top 50 tycoons in Philippines reaches $86B

THE PHILIPPINES’ 50 richest tycoons increased their combined wealth by 6% to over $86 billion (around P4.92 trillion) this year, with nearly half of those on the list now wealthier than a year ago, according to Forbes Asia.

- Arjay L. Balinbin and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

“Buoyed by domestic demand and an uptick in infrastructure investments, the Philippine economy expanded by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2025, but US tariffs proved to be a spoiler. The country’s benchmark stock market index dipped 7% since fortunes were last measured, though that was partially offset by a firmer peso,” Forbes Asia said ina statement.

The Sy siblings once again topped the Forbes list of the Philippines’ 50 Richest for 2025, despite a $1.2-billion drop in their net worth.

The six Sy siblings, namely, Teresita, Elizabeth, Henry Jr., Hans, Herbert, and Harley, posted a combined net worth $11.8 billion. They are the heirs to the SM Group built by the late Henry Sy, Sr., who was the richest man in the Philippines until his death in January 2019.

Ports and casino tycoon Enrique K. Razon, Jr. landed on the second spot for the second straight year.

The chairman of International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

and Bloomberry Resorts Corp. had a net worth of $11.5 billion, up from last year's $11.1 billion.

Property tycoon and former politician Manuel B. Villar, Jr. remained in third place with a fortune of $11 billion, slightly higher than his net worth of $10.9 billion last year. This comes as he turned his mass-housing and memorial park developer Golden MV Holdings into Villar Land Holdings.