YouTuber John Anthony Jaboya or Sangkay Janjan TV posted on his Tiktok account a 3-part video titled “Ang sekretong Blueprint ni Marcos,” which claimed that there exists a “grand economic plan” created by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos that can supposedly catapult the Philippines into a “global superpower.”

At the 00:39 mark of the second video, Jaboya explained that the so-called “Marcos blueprint” was initially implemented when the former president launched “Kilusang Bagong Lipunan” (New Society Movement) and was shared by Marcos with his counterparts in South Korea and Singapore. The video then continued to explain that both neighboring countries were able to sufficiently develop their respective economies as they followed the “blueprint,” leaving the Philippines behind as the administrations following the late dictator’s ouster abandoned the said economic plan.

CLAIM:

South Korea and Singapore copied late dictator Marcos’ ‘economic blueprint’

RATING:

FALSE

FACTS: 

Upon checking official government records, the only “Marcos economic blueprint” that can be considered is a collection of 15 short, midterm, and long-term development plans that were crafted and implemented in his 20 years in power.

In a study released by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies titled “Growth Models, Development Planning, and Implementation in the Philippines” written by economist Gonzalo Jurado, it was noted that the development plans under Marcos “carried about the same vision and goals as previous plans” of past administrations, except for its heavy emphasis on liberalization.

Independent thinktank IBON Foundation noted that the Marcos administration’s heavy reliance on trade liberalism, coupled with cronyism, resulted in lasting economic damage that led to the Philippines being dubbed as the “sick man of Asia.” Several other studies noted that Marcos’ economic model was “anti-industrialization” as major sectors of the economy were “crony-monopolized,” and at the same time his administration prioritized market liberalization, at the expense of local industries.

It would be wrong to claim that South Korea and Singapore followed the touted Marcos “blueprint.” South Korea implemented an economic strategy that supported and promoted local industrial firms and initially provided protection for local businesses from international market competition, which spurred national industrialization and resulted in steady and continuous economic growth.

Meanwhile, Singapore – before embracing globalization – also initially focused on developing its local economy. After leaving the Federation of Malaysia in 1965, Singapore adopted two strategic decisions – the first one was to shift away from import-substitution in favor of export-led industrialization, and the second was to “attract global multinational corporations as vehicles to achieve industrial growth.”

WHY IT MATTERS: 

Sangkay Janjan TV has been the subject of several fact-checks recently but has continuously produced disinformation materials. The Tiktok post of Sangkay Janjan TV currently has more than 78,000 likes and 901 comments. -Vivian Vera

Altermidya Network is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph.

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