Cautionary tale

In 1986, people power in the Philippines inspired democracy movements around the world. Today, our country is serving as a cautionary tale and being cited as a model for why western-style democracy isn't for everyone.

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

In 1986, people power in the Philippines inspired democracy movements around the world.

Today, our country is serving as a cautionary tale and being cited as a model for why western-style democracy isn't for everyone.

Malaysians, who convicted their former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah for corruption and sentenced both to years in prison, reportedly warned in 2022 that their country should not become like the Philippines where plunderers can stage a political comeback.

In this part of the planet in particular, the development model is not the Philippines with its anything-goes democracy, but Singapore and its concept of putting economic rights ahead of other rights, with emphasis on the responsibilities that come with civil liberties.

Singapore has strengthened its institutions and the rule of law, created a merit-based society and invested heavily in its most precious resource, its people. When the country slipped into recession during the global economic slowdown pre-pandemic, among its responses was to pour more resources into upskilling and education.

Promoting economic rights includes massive investments in the development of human capital. The investments cover universal access to quality education, affordable health care and nutrition.

Proper education starts with healthy bodies and healthy minds, from womb to formal learning age. It's a struggle to think, much less be creative, on a chronically empty stomach. UNICEF reports that a third of Filipino children are stunted, or short for their age, with an average of 95 children dying every day from malnutrition. This should be considered a national crisis.

Getting serious about improving our human capital is indispensable if we want to make representative democracy work.