President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently reiterated her vision of propelling the Philippines into First-World status (defined as having a robust middle class, access to modern technologies, and strong institutions) by 2020, saying the vision would be launched during her last three years in office. But her own definition of a First World country tells us that her vision may well be expected to remain just that – a vision. Such a vision can never come to realization so long as government policies condemn peasants to landlessness, and the labor force to joblessness, and the multitudes of people are deep in penury.

BY FLON FAURILLO
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 48, January 6-12, 2008

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