The Philippines: Twenty Years Later

I love the Filipino people. I have been pretty much everywhere in the world and without equivocation I can say that I have never met a more gracious, hard working, or hospitable people, especially out in the Provinces.

Filipina Friend: So, what is it like to return after 20 years? What would you say has changed, since then?

Me: Not enough. I don’t know if it’s a case where I am 20 years older, so am far more realistic about what I am seeing, but it appears to me that you guys have failed to live up to the potential for peace and prosperity that I believe was and is possible. Things became much better under Presidents Aquino and Ramos, and then appear to have gone down hill ever since.

When I first arrived, Marcos was holding on to his “democratically elected” despotic grip over this nation. He was using the people’s fear of the New People’s Army (communist insurgents) and the Muslim secessionists on Mindinao as leverage to stay in office, as well his close ties to the US, and its massive military presence. But the consequences of his rule became so painfully unbearable that the people were ready for and demanding a substantial change (this is as opposed to a symbolic change that appears to be all the rage with Obama-maniacs here in the US). Anyway – When I first arrived, it seemed to me that the people here were ready to realize their potential, as soon as they could figure out how to depose Marcos and find enough vans to cart away Mrs. Marcos’ thousands of pairs of shoes.

I just knew that I knew once the people here could elect a government that was actually going to abide by the rule of law and that would, at least, generally serve the people rather than using them for their own selfish ends, this place would become the economic powerhouse the World Bank had predicted it to become just 10 or so years earlier. Okay, Japan had already beaten them to the top but that’s okay … Come on man, their GDP was 5 times larger than that of South Korea’s: these people were on the cusp of an economic explosion! Or at least I thought so.

Now, twenty years later, China and India are the Big Boys over here, with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan not far behind, and the Philippines bringing up the rear. What happened?

Prosperity requires the rule of law, national peace, free markets where the best product at the best price is allowed to win and losers go back to the drawing the board, and a national emphasis on both rigorous education and Research and Development in the fields of technology and science. Sadly, the Philippines still haven’t committed itself to making any of this happen.

Rule of Law and Peace
The rule of law is corrupted by a handful of families and special interest groups who can still manipulate the law to their own ends. When only the poor and powerless are held subject to the law of the land, with the rich and powerful being free to do whatever they want, to whomever they want, whenever they want, only the rich and powerful prosper. Crickey man, around 20,000 of the nation’s police don’t even have weapons--this is out of 125,00 policemen, which is quite symbolic of the misplaced priorities of the government.

Free Market
Given the power of these families and special interest groups, the market is continually tipped in their favor, so that there is no even-playing-field for true competition.

Our taxi-cab driver: Do you wanna know the only three ways to become wealthy here? Become an Arms Lord, A Drug Lord, or a Praise the Lord (TV Minister).

Education and Research and Development
When power and personal aggrandizement on every level of political power are the general practices of politicians, there is not a lot of dollars left for teachers and scientists.


Don’t misunderstand me here: a day doesn’t go by that some politician doesn’t publicly call for reform on every level, and the people here are definitely ready for change. The challenge is with the “ruling class” whose self-interest stands athwart such reformation, screaming “Over my ever-increasing bank account!”

Back in the day, people from across Asia came here looking for work. Today, thousands upon thousands of the nation's youth are headed for Singapore and elsewhere to find jobs.

So, what’s the answer? Well, whatever it is, it won’t be easy: reformations never are, and they do not happen with a single wave of a magic wand. Furthermore, they usually begin at the bottom, with a little help from a few of the more influential members of the ruling class that give voice to the masses of discontent.

Here in the US, true reform is difficult, as too many voters only think of their own pocketbook: “Which politician will give ME the most benefits?” The same goes for the Philippines. There can be no reform without enough people standing up and saying, ENOUGH.

Stop protecting the wealthy at the expense of the poor

Stop tilting the market place in favor of the special interest groups who are lining the pockets of politicians

Start providing for our police and see to it that every one is equal before the law

Start devising and implementing plans for a robust push for Research and Development in Science and Technology, which means, among other things that we

Begin demanding and providing a more rigorous education for our children

Or so I believe ...

Copyright, Monte E Wilson, 2008