A state of emergency has been declared in the Philippines. This is twenty years after Marcos was (peacefully) overthrown. I was there at that time. An interesting country, very likeable people. Eventually they will get their act together and make a deep impression on the world. But not yet, I guess. Also see this for some reflection on the problem of what I call tribes (clans, family dynasties, etc.) and democratic development. The Belmont Club is worth paying attention to as well.
Philippine politics is notoriously corrupt. The woman who replaced Marcos, glorified in American media, was as corrupt as you could get, as was her family, which had been corrupt for decades.
The Philippines has got problems.
Damn shame too.