Economic inequality in the Philippines is no longer just a social issue. It is becoming a political one. New data shows that wealthy elites are tightening their grip on political power while millions of Filipino families struggle with rising costs, weak wages, and limited public services. The result is a widening gap that is reshaping both democracy and daily life.
According to global watchdog Oxfam, billionaires are “4,000 times more likely to hold political office than ordinary people.” The Philippines reflects this pattern. Several of the country’s highest-ranking officials report personal wealth in the hundreds of millions or even billions of pesos. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a net worth of hundreds of millions of pesos, while lawmakers such as Sen. Mark Villar and spouses Sen. Raffy Tulfo and Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo have reported assets exceeding a billion pesos.
This trend matters because leaders with massive wealth often protect
...
Loading comments...