OUR economic and political elites have mastered the art of gaming our political and economic system. No matter what reform measures are introduced and implemented, they end up serving their own interests, instead of the vast majority of Filipinos who are supposed to benefit.

Take for example the mantra of 'Philippines for the Filipinos,' which characterized the so-called nationalist spirit in the 1960s and the 1970s. This was, however, carried out to shield the local economy from foreign competition through high tariffs or outright import bans so that local entrepreneurs could prosper.