None of the countries that has had control over the Philippines has done them any favors. The Spanish laid the Catholic religion on them, and look what's happened: the Church doesn't believe in birth control, so they've got more people than they know what to do with here. There are only so many jobs and other work to go around, so the surplus population is left holding an empty bag – if they're lucky enough to have the bag. They've also got a corruption problem; I expect that's a freebie from the Spanish, too – it seems to be a pretty common problem in all the countries Spain 'discovered'. So, because of the corruption, the people with power and money tend to get more power and money, while everyone else loses out. It's almost as though the average person expects their politicians and government officials to be crooks; the only time anything significant happens about it is when it gets too blatant. Hell, look at what Marcos did here: when they got fed up enough to chase him out, he left the country with many, many millions of dollars – on a salary of a few thousand a year. Part – no, most – of the reason Marlyn is with us is to help me figure out who has to be paid how much for what, if my client builds a facility here. Sure, my client is going to get tax breaks and all that – but they'll be paying some of it back under the table, you can bet on it.*I* know it, my client knows it, and Marlyn knows it. The definition of an honest politician here is one that stays bought after you've paid him.

"No, it's not 'right', by our standards. But it's their country. It's up to them to decide what to do with it, and when. The only problems they have are the ones they recognize, and decide to change their way. All we can do is offer help they're willing to accept: bringing in jobs and money to help them develop a larger middle class, and stabilize a shaky economy. We can come in, and when they let us, show them the benefits of some of what we do; and help them recognize the problems they have, and show them possible solutions. But until they decide what changes they want to make, and how to make them, all we can do is let them run their country their way. We wouldn't like it if they started trying to tell us how to run our country, so we have to show them the same restraint in return."