Colliers Philippines’ Joey Bondoc, in a playful segment during his 2025 real estate briefing, highlighted an interesting trend.
Based on their data, Metro Manila’s condo market experienced a post-election bump every time a new president took office.
Three-way race
The results were clear: President Rodrigo Duterte enjoyed the highest average increase in property prices at 8.3 percent a year after he was elected.
His predecessor, the late President Benigno Aquino III, enjoyed a jump of 5 percent during the comparable period, while incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. saw a gain of 4 percent.
Sales jump
Bondoc said all three presidents saw a sharp increase in sales activity a year after winning, with Duterte experiencing a 40 percent surge in volume.
For the remainder of his term, the former mayor of Davao witnessed a sharp rise in property prices amid an influx of China-focused Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) that sent real estate prices skyrocketing.
The unraveling of that industry, triggered by Marcos’ eventual POGO ban, continues to impact the real estate sector today.
Where’s the post-election money coming from?
Are buyers simply more bullish after an election, or is there an unusual surplus of funds circulating?
The audience chuckled, seemingly in the know, but Bondoc wasn’t giving up any answers.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” he quipped.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
