Mall-mogul Henry Sy Sr. remains the Philippines’ richest person, according to Forbes Magazine.
Based on Forbes 2017 Global Billionaires’ list, the Sy family’s 92-year-old patriarch has an estimated net worth of $12.7 billion – roughly P637.2 billion – as of this month, making him the world’s 94th richest person.
However, Sy’s net worth dropped from $12.9 billion last year due to global market volatility as well as strengthening of the US dollar.
Meanwhile, the country’s second richest person is tycoon John Gokongwei Jr., 89, with an estimated net worth of $5.8 billion.
Meanwhile, tobacco king Lucio Tan kept his third spot this year with an estimated net worth of $3.7 billion, which is also lower from last year’s $4 billion.
Net worth of the Tan family includes the valuation of the clan’s shareholdings in flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL).
Also joining the country’s richest list is Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) owner George Ty, 84, who landed on the fourth rank, with his estimated net worth of $3.5 billion.
Trailing Ty is casino and port operator Enrique Razon Jr., 57, who saw his net worth at $3.4.
Other Filipino businessmen who made in the Forbes’ billionaires’ list were fast food chain Jollibee founder Tony Tan Caktiong ($3.4 billion), mining and real-estate developer David Consunji ($3.1 billion), gaming and real-estate developer Andrew Tan ($2.5 billion), car dealership magnate Robert Coyiuto Jr. ($1.5 billion), and former Senator Manuel Villar ($1.5 billion).
Completing the list of Filipinos in the dollar billionaires club are Ramon Ang ($1.4 billion), Eduardo Cojuangco ($1.2 billion), Roberto Ongpin ($1.1 billion) and Edgar Sia ($1 billion). (Chino Leyco)