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Pinas (aka Philippines) -> Government & Politics -> May pag-asa ba ang Pilipinas? (RP is not small and weak)
Post Info TOPIC: May pag-asa ba ang Pilipinas? (RP is not small and weak)
Amaya


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May pag-asa ba ang Pilipinas? (RP is not small and weak)
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The Philippines is not a small and weak country. It is the 12th largest country in the world. It is larger than any European country. Metro Manila alone is bigger than half of all the countries of the world. The Roman Empire at its height only had 60 percent of the people that the Philippines has. Neither is the Philippines weak. The Philippine economy is in the upper quartile as is the size of its military. [Bruce Hall]

While there are many problems in government and politics, like corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency,... I would say that the biggest hindrance to development and progress in the country are the lack of vision and direction, and the lack of patriotism and unification of Filipinos, especially the leaders. And there is the continuing influence of the Catholic church, a malaise in society, wherever they prevail in the world.

The economy is undoubtedly the biggest challenge to Filipino leaders of the 21st century - the widespread poverty and insufficient employment opportunities. Yet only a few political leaders and aspiring ones bother to acquire the skills necessary to understand it. And many, especially the old ones, mouth anti-business slogans and espouse antiquated pseudo-nationalist protectionist policies proven self-defeating decades ago, not just for self-serving reasons (sometimes to protect their personal business interests and sometimes to cater to the populist and leftist lobbies and their votes) but also from ignorance.

Businesses, Filipino or not, create the jobs and national prosperity and progress will depend much on them. Protectionist policies only benefit the very rich to the detriment of the rest of the population and the economy.

And there is the problem with the lack of unification and patriotism. There can only be one Filipino President at a time and the constitution provides for an election every 6 years. But you have messianic and unpatriotic demogogues and churchmen, who think they are better than the President and want to be Presidents by hook or by crook. And you have opposition members of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representative), some of who believe their main job is to oust the President from power, and to campaign for the next election.

Finally, there is the constant interference of the Catholic church in the affairs of the state under the guise of morality, hindering development and progress with their obsolete ideas and hypocritical sense of morality, as they have done all over the world throughout its history. Per Peter Watson of The Times od London: "The rise of the West had much less to do with democracy than with the rise of secularism. The Wests advance was chiefly related to the decline in the influence of religion that sought the truth by 'looking in' to see what God had to say, and its replacement by looking out, deriving authority from observation, experimentation and exploration." (See this article.)

But none of these problems are insurmountable. We must not forget that the Philippines became independent only in 1946, after having been ravaged by foreign colonialism, and started with an economy greatly devastated by World War II. It has been in existence as an independent country for only 60 years, 15 years of that under martial law. So, the Philippines is far from a hopeless country or a country with little future.

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Romeo


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I think the disregard for the law and lack of respect for the authority of the President by leading opposition leaders is a big shame. It shows a lack of patriotism and political immaturity. Especially since it is so obvious that these guys are just out to grab power from the existing government.

Filipinos would be a lot better off if they all put their energy into helping the President build a stronger Philippines. That does not mean they have to kiss ass to whoever is the incumbent. But there is a point of civility and decency that ought not to be crossed. The opposition ought to be a constructive, not a destructive, force in a democracy.

Fortunately, despite these men, our economy still grows. According to the linked article, there are signs that the political bickering and a succession of failed coup attempts which has held the Philippine economy hostage for more than 20 years is now changing. And I believe they are correct.


-- Edited by Romeo at 02:12, 2007-12-10

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Jose


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I agree. Our country has great potential.

-- Edited by Jose at 17:56, 2007-12-11

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pinky


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The Philippines is far from a small and weak country. In the 50s and the 60s, it was one of the strongest economies in Asia.

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ace


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The constant political bickering by the losers' in each election is a major reason why the country is mired in poverty and has not achieved its potential.

Noteworthy, everytime, these same personalities are involved: this is not Trillanes' nor Lim's first coup atempt. Padre Damaso and the wannabe, Guingona, et al. also ousted Erap. Overambitious and hypocritical, arrogant and messianic men with delusions of grandeur and omniscience.



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pinoy


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Poor economic performance is also due to the great influence of Spanish Catholic cultural heritage on Filipino society. Spanish rule led to the rise of a few very rich and powerful landholding families that would play a dominant polical role after independence and who pursued their own rather than the state's interests. And then you have the pervasive culture of fatalism and subservience propagated by the Catholic church that continues to this day.

These cultural attitudes stand in the way of freer markets and a more successful political democracy.

In the 1950s, according to a World Bank study at that time, the Philippines was destined to become the region's second Japan.

But it missed out almost completely on the foreign investment-fueled Asian boom of the 1970s to the 1990s, and by 2000, Filipino per capita income only exceeded only Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, North Korea and Myanmar.

Gist take from this article

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bubuy


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Malaking problema si GMA. Dapat bumaba na lang siya.

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tala


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The brain drain has to be addressed. I do not believe this is purely an economic issue. At least not in the case of the highly skilled workers and professionals. From what I have observed, it has more to do with a colonial mentality, the lack of patriotism and sense of oneness among some citizens.

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boom


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Re the lack of patriotism, there is an essay written by a Korean studying English in the Philippines, meant to be read by Filipinos, that someone posted on the web that states the case very well.

A short essay about the Philippines - Jaeyoun Kim (edited)

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea.

After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because the entire country was destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia . We envied Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father & brother also died because of famine. The Korean government was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea . They always hoped that their children would live in a country that is well off.

I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a small scale and have to grow. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with new eyes. And if you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines.

That's all I really want to ask of Filipinos.

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