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Remember what happened to the Philippine economy when one Filipino leader (after Marcos/Aquino), threw the US Navy out of Subic Bay, etc? About 5,000 or more people lost their jobs, a volcano destroyed the whole area, and the US Navy essential never returned in any sizeable grouping.

I love the Filipino people. They are among the most friendly, kind, and pro-American people in the world. They suffered greatly for helping saving US servicemen during WW2, reprisals that equaled those of the Japanese against the Chinese people who aided downed American fliers, and German/Nazi reprisals against people in Europe who did the same.

However, they haven’t had a really great leader since Magsaysay. Marcos started out okay but became greedy and did a lot of harm to his country’s politics.

My prayers for the people of the Philippines. We are still behind your desires for true democracy and continued freedom.

Beware of Duterte’s paying with fire in his relations with Red China (who wants you as their next province) and Russia who wants naval bases in the South China Seas.

It wasn’t one Filipino leader, it was the Philippine Senate playing negotiating games and delaying renewing the bases lease. And then the volcano blew up. And then the US told the Philippine Senate to get stuffed, seeing as the bases were effectively destroyed, or unusable for years and would require many billions in repairs.

The bases were popular with the people as a whole. They got stiffed by their politicians, as usual.

Its not a problem with a single politician, but with the leadership class as a whole. Personalities, individuals, dont usually matter that much. The US has the same problems.

As for good Philippine presidents, they have had a few low key but very effective ones since Marcos. They could not solve every problem, but most have made good progress.

Cory Aquino presided over the restoration of the political system, and over an economic recovery that restored per capita GDP to pre-depression levels (depression of 1982-86, it was terrible) in three years.

“Tabaco” Ramos solved the electricity problem, and, arguably, started the economic boom, still ongoing, due to infrastructure upgrades in his time.

Gloria Arroyo has been slagged often for corruption, but its indisputable that the current very high rate of growth started on her watch.

“Noynoy” Aquino continued prudent fiscal policies (even if it went too far, as in “noynoying” infrastructure investments), and political reforms. Arguably a person such as Duterte could not have won before 2016 as the popular will would not have been permitted a fair-ish outlet. And then there was the highest rate of real growth the country has ever seen.

What occurred in order was the US lease came up for renewal. I recall the rent being something like $300 million annually for Clark AFB and Subic/Cubi. Pinatubo erupted and wiped out Clark. What the volcano didn't destroy was looted in the aftermath.
We decided to close Clark and asked for reduced rent. The Anti-Americans in the Philippine Senate demanded we pay the full amount. Cheney said hell no. When we declined they voted to kick us out. We agreed to leave but in the agreement it stated any permanent structures had be left. The Philippines were advertising the two largest dry docks in Asia would be open for use when the US Navy left. Apparently the Cheney never told them the dry docks float. They did not find out until a story was in the papers showing the docks arriving in Guam. They screamed bloody murder. I love Cheney.
The Philippines do not need the US like it once did and are frankly no longer friendly to the United States although they still love our money. I have family there and go back every few years. They have grown a lot as a nation and are independent.
We only went back because they are afraid of China. I think we have grown too and no longer need to have anymore bases in Asia. But if we did Vietnam would be the better option. Strange our former enemy is friendlier to us then our former ally.