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Can the Philippines attain economic recovery?

The reason China is bullying the Philippines is the glaring disparities in economic and military power. The bully was once called the 'Sick Man of Asia' because it had a huge population and so poor then. But it miraculously transformed into an economic giant by becoming the manufacturing hub of the world. Now the bullied is called the 'New Sick Man of Asia'. It was once the second vibrant economy in Asia, next to Japan. Why has the Philippines gone into abysmal economic performance? Here's some of the reasons written by Mathew Fisher... Can the Philippines be like China in the future?

Filipino kids scavenge over piles of garbage in Manila.

Since the Philippines values democracy and recognises human rights, its way to economic recovery will not be as fast as China. The Philippines still has Asia's strongest labour unions and enforceable labour laws. Unless the Philippines fully opens up to investment, control its population growth and clean-up the corrupt and nepotic system in government, it will remain as it is and sadly, will be bullied by China.

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