Golez: The GDP of the Philippines is almost the same level as the GDP of Singapore, which is around US $ 290 Billion. But how come Singapore is able to develop and maintain a modern and powerful navy and air force?

Golez: The GDP of the Philippines is almost the same level as the GDP of Singapore, which is around US $ 290 Billion. But how come Singapore is able to develop and maintain a modern and powerful navy and air force? By balancing their priorities and not saying they are too small to fight. Think about it. 
Singapore Navy: six Formidable class frigates (similar to French Lafayette class frigates). Six corvettes from Germany.
Air Force: 40 F-15 SG, 62 F-16C/D+ and a plan to acquire F-35s.
Had the leaderships in the executive and congress of the past willed a modest part of our annual budget for a serious AFP modernization effort starting in 1995 when the AFP Modernization Act was passed, we would for sure have navy and air force assets comparable to what tiny Singapore has. When I was a congressman, a financial engineering approach was proposed (which then Finance Secretary Lito Camacho found acceptable in principle) to accelerate the acquisition of big ticket items. In that connection, there was a formal meeting in Congress with then Budget Sec. Nonoy Andaya and the top AFP leaders, but sadly it was all talk. It is not too late for the sake of our national dignity and national security.