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

PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed

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.

PAY ATTENTION: Submit to info@kami.com.ph or message us on Facebook your personal story, along with related photos or videos, and get a chance to make an impact on other people’s lives! If your story gets chosen, our video team will make a special feature about it so that others can learn and be inspired by your journey. We can also hide your identity in the special feature, depending on your preference.

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.

PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access the internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data!

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.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news!

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