Fact check: Was the Philippines the ‘richest country in Asia’ during the Marcos regime?

Fact check: Was the Philippines the ‘richest country in Asia’ during the Marcos regime?

- Some online posts claimed that the Philippines was the “richest country in Asia” during the time of Marcos

- It also mentioned that the first airport in Asia was built under the Marcos regime

- However, it has been reported that the claim was false

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Several social media posts claiming that the Philippines was the “richest country in Asia” during the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos circulated online.

However, KAMI learned that the claim was misleading.

In a report by Rappler, a post listed the supposed accomplishments of the Marcos regime. In the list, the first claim stated that the Philippines was the “richest country in Asia.”

Aside from that, it also mentioned that the first airport and train in Asia were built during the time of Marcos.

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However, economic indicators showed that the Philippines was not even the richest country in Southeast Asia from 1965 to 1986.

According to the data from the World Bank, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of the Philippines when Marcos assumed his post in 1965 was only the 3rd highest in Southeast Asia.

Fact check: Was the Philippines the ‘richest country in Asia’ during the Marcos regime?
Screenshot from Rappler
Source: Facebook

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In 1986, the Philippines fell down to 5th place, making it behind Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Across Asia, the United Arab Emirates had the highest GDP per capita from 1965 to 1986. Meanwhile, Japan had the highest average GDP during the same period.

Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was the President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He declared martial law in 1972.

Marcos was the husband of former First Lady Imelda Marcos. He is the father of former Senator Bongbong Marcos and Senator Imee Marcos.

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HumanMeter was lucky to ask Jacob Batalon, who plays Spiderman’s friend Ned Leeds, several questions when he visited the Philippines. Also, check out his message to Filipino fans – on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel!

Source: KAMI.com.gh

Authors:
Kurt Yap avatar

Kurt Yap (Editor)