What was previously regarded as taboo in a morally upright society had earned grudging tolerance and virtual acceptance when a performance-challenged solon proudly flaunted publicly his marital indiscretions. Notwithstanding religious disapproval, an immature electorate was hoodwinked to award him the highest political post of the land on the basis of his national fame as a multi-awarded movie actor. Just as the Marcos dictatorship was toppled by EDSA People Power Revolution, also known as EDSA 1, the Erap Estrada rule was cut short by EDSA 2 which installed the constitutional succession of the Arroyo regime.
Of course, the corruption and excesses of the Arroyo regime that could approximate the Marcos era would be another long story. Still, the immaturity of the voters awashed with star-struck mentality persists until who knows when as famous non-performing assets manage to remain in public office.
What was then considered a booming economic powerhouse next to Japan started its retrogression during the catastrophic Marcos reign where many companies were forcibly taken over by his cronies resulting to displacement of numerous workers. Thus began the Filipino diaspora to seek better employment opportunities where the Philippines became one of the world's leading labor suppliers. The foreign currency remittances of the overseas Filipino workers have improved immensely the living condition of their families left in the country.
Furthermore, such remittances by overseas Filipino workers enabled the Philippines to survive the terrible economic meltdown caused by Ninoy Aquino's assassination as well as the Asian financial crisis during the Ramos administration. Likewise, it helped the economy remain afloat despite the massive corruption and mismanagement of the unlamented Arroyo regime. Unfortunately, such economic benefits have tremendous social costs which contribute exceedingly to the Filipinos' moral degradation which shall be discussed extensively in the subject's ultimate dissertation.
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