Editorial

Quo vadis, RP?
******As we enter a new year, many Filipino Americans continue to be pessimistic about the future of the country they left behind.
******Many of them are genuinely concerned that the Philippines might continue to remain “the sick man of Asia” because its leaders continue to be involved in intense political squabbles. They are worried about the continuing insurgencies, rumors of coups and surveys which show the people want President Arroyo to resign. They are worried about the future of their friends and relatives who are on a daily struggle to survive.
******While most Asian Americans feel very proud about the achievements that their former motherlands are making today, many Filipino Americans are not.
******Chinese Americans are proud that their former homeland is now on the brink of becoming a world power, economically and militarily. Japanese Americans are prouder to see that most of the cars, electronic equipment and heavy equipment in America today bear Japanese trademarks. Korean Americans, whose country was ruined by the war in the 50s, are also proud that Korea is slowly becoming a world economic power.
******In Southeast Asia, Singapore remains on top economically and politically while Malaysia and Thailand are on the brink of becoming like Singapore.
******And the Philippines? Many Filipino immigrants do not see anything in the Philippines today that can make them proud or hopeful that things will change for the better.
******It is indeed lamentable that some 55 years ago, shortly after the end of World War II, the Philippines was second only to Japan, economically. It was way ahead of South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Today it is only slightly ahead of Indonesia and Bangladesh.
******What happened? The fault, in the view of many, lies with the series of corrupt governments and politicians who only wanted to enrich themselves in office. Many of the politicians and businessmen who themselves do not believe in the future of their own country, open up bank accounts in the United States or in any other country around the world where their money will be safe.
******The result is the exodus of millions of Filipinos searching for a better life abroad.