Nearly half of the Filipinos are poor, more than 25 percent are extremely poor, a terrible violation of human rights. Some weeks ago I explained that a “Social Market Economy,” which neither tolerates the inhuman consequences of purely profit-driven capitalism nor does it repeat the mistakes of socialist state-centralism, would be the concept of choice for sustainably overcoming poverty in the Philippines. The dignity of each human being is its core value, the market mechanism built on fair competition its main steering mechanism, a strong but subsidiary state, protecting openness and fairness of the markets and providing its citizens with a supportive framework for free and productive work and life in dignity, its guardian.

 

“Rodrigo Duterte – the Donald Trump of the Philippines.” So we read and hear many times during the last months in newspapers, magazines, radio- and TV-programs all over the world.

It is obvious that there are similarities:

Asia’s Premier Prize – the Ramon Magsaysay Award will be presented today to this year’s laureates – three outstanding men, women and three organizations – who have greatly contributed to the betterment of many lives and their communities in ceremonies at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.