Insider Spotlight
The company led by tycoon Ramon Ang climbed from 42nd place in 2025, when it was already the highest-ranked Philippine company on the annual Forbes World’s Best Employers list, according to a report published by Esquire Philippines.
The jump also widened San Miguel’s lead over other Philippine companies on the 2026 list. Ayala Corp., the next highest-ranked local company, placed 80th globally.
The big jump
San Miguel’s rise to 16th represents a significant improvement from last year, when the diversified conglomerate was the only Philippine company among the global top 100.
The company has businesses spanning food and beverages, energy, infrastructure, fuel, transportation and property.
Its latest ranking puts San Miguel alongside some of the world’s largest technology, consumer and industrial companies in a survey that measures how workers view their employers.
The 2026 ranking was based on an independent, anonymous survey of more than 300,000 employees across more than 50 countries. Eligible companies had at least 1,000 employees and global operations.
What workers rated
Employees were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer to family and friends. They also evaluated companies based on salary, career advancement opportunities, work-life balance and corporate reputation.
Data from the previous three years were incorporated into the rankings, with greater weight given to more recent evaluations and feedback from current employees.
Microsoft topped the 2026 ranking, followed by Delta Air Lines, Shopify, Costco Wholesale and Nvidia.
Philippine companies
Aside from San Miguel and Ayala, six other Philippine companies made the 900-company list: Metrobank at 142nd, LT Group at 192nd, JG Summit Holdings at 238th, Century Pacific Group at 261st, Jollibee Foods at 384th and BDO Unibank at 458th.
San Miguel’s latest showing continues a multi-year rise in its global employer standing, reinforcing its position as the Philippine company with the strongest placement in the survey.
— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas
