MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stirred fresh public discussion after citing Singapore’s well-known bubble gum ban as an example of how effective policies can shape discipline, behavior, and national culture. In a recent vlog, the President emphasized the need to reassess old and burdensome policies in the Philippines, arguing that good governance is not only about removing outdated rules but also about adopting measures that genuinely improve public behavior and quality of life.

Marcos Jr. explained that a “good policy,” in his view, should guide citizens toward better conduct, be easy to enforce, and avoid becoming a nuisance to the public. As a concrete illustration, he pointed to Singapore’s long-standing prohibition on the sale and importation of bubble gum. According to the President, the ban was implemented not arbitrarily, but in response to real public problems—such as gum being stuck on train doors, causing malfunctions, delays, and increased cleaning costs.

By raising this example, Marcos Jr. appears to be highlighting a governance philosophy that prioritizes discipline and collective responsibility over individual convenience. Singapore’s strict regulations, often criticized as excessive, are also widely credited for the city-state’s cleanliness, efficiency, and order. For the President, this suggests that firm and well-targeted policies can influence not just behavior, but culture itself.

However, the remark has also invited debate. Critics question whether such restrictive measures are suitable for a democratic and diverse society like the Philippines, where enforcement challenges, social inequality, and public trust in institutions remain pressing issues. Others argue that discipline should come from education and civic engagement, not bans that may seem trivial or authoritarian.

Supporters, on the other hand, see Marcos Jr.’s point as symbolic rather than literal—a call to design policies that work, are respected, and serve the common good. The bubble gum ban, in this sense, becomes less about gum and more about accountability, discipline, and the cost of public irresponsibility.

As the country continues to grapple with governance reforms, the President’s example raises a provocative question: should the Philippines embrace stricter, discipline-oriented policies to improve public behavior, or is there a better way to build a culture of responsibility without resorting to bans? (Larawan mula sa: Bongbong Marcos / Facebook; Google)