Philippines has so disgusted us with their idiotic response to Covid that we have cancelled our retirement move there.
How stupid, you fools. We were negotiating for a half-mile of beach frontage on a nice island last February. We had to flee before we finished the sale, and they stopped my wife from boarding because Duterte (who we loved before this) outlawed Filipinos from most Asia destinations. She made it out on an alternate route but got sick from the stress.
I am a construction contractor and have already built one house in the Philippines, but was looking forward to employing half a village to build a break-water, a pier, and another larger home. We built a small experimental fish farm in the USA to gain the experience we needed running one in the Philippines. We would have employed another family on the farm, but now I have scuttled the whole thing. All of our resources that would have supported Filipinos - it's all thrown away.
What they don't understand is that even if Philippines came to its senses and removed all the economy-destroying restrictions, people like us will not trust them ever again. Come back? Why should I? By far my highest priority in the future is which places respected the rights of its citizens. I'll be in Mexico in a few weeks to get my dental work done instead of Philippines. More money down the tubes for both the dentists and some young hotties who would have enjoyed my company. Now the latina girls will be giving my money to their families.
I would expect Philippines to do exactly as it has: to continue being a leader in stupidity by being a follower of dictatorial fads. Governments are eager now to impose "health passports" and other permanent inhibitions to travel. Philippines will do whatever the most restrictive countries do.
The money they have handed out created new corrupt and vile Barangay Captains and public health officials. Giving people power like this is guaranteed injustice and a proliferation of petty tyrannies.
My wife and I had not even bothered to apply for her US Citizenship because we were so intent on moving to the Philippines. But after this asinine move by Philippines, she got her US Citizenship and we live in an area with no restrictions whatsoever. People are happy. They smile at each other and act cheerfully. When we go to a city that has restrictions, the tension is palpable. It's like your humanity has been removed.