[ap-intact] COMMENTARY: The Philippines, another Singapore?

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The writer debunks a notion that the Philippines could have become another Singapore under the late, deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos: "The key differences? Marcos couldn’t control corruption among the people close to him. [Lee Kwan Yew], on the other hand, was able to impose his will, including and especially members of parliament and the bureaucracy. The other key element was personal integrity. Marcos and his family lived ostentatiously while Lee and his family lived austerely. Lee and his wife led by example, living simply while the Marcoses lived extravagantly."

Read the op-ed by Leandro DD Coronel, in Manila Bulletin. http://www.mb.com.ph/the-philippines-another-singapore/

See also:

Singapore anti-graft agency says number of corruption complaints in 2014 lowest in three decades. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/number-of-corruption/1763026.html

Three Filipino business execs get 54 years for Marcos-era behest loans. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/461614/news/nation/3-firm-execs-get-54-years-for-marcos-era-behest-loans

‘Singapore model’ all too often misunderstood. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2015/03/31/commentary/world-commentary/singapore-model-all-too-often-misunderstood/#.VRyovWYy7NQ

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