income inequality grew larger to the extent that its effects, like crimes such as theft, kidnapping, and murder occur regularly. Republic of the Philippines (1946–1972) After the Philippines became an independent nation in 1946, the politics of the nation remained as it was during the period before the war even though in theory, it was a constitutional republic similar to that of the United States. However, the gap in income between the wealthy landlords and their tenants and the landless workers was so great that it led to the problem of agrarian unrest and the Huk movement. This movement was crushed by President Ramon Magsaysay using reforms and military force. During Magsaysay's term, the country began to prosper again due to the war reparations from the Japanese and US Korean War spending. Despite Magsaysay taking time to listen to the masses and doing his best to develop the impoverished areas of the country, he failed to really improve their lot because they became dependent on him to uplift them. This was because he had failed to tell them that he needed their help and he lacked a blueprint for uplifting them and ending their gap with the rich. Thus, Magsaysay failed to put an end to the inequality between the masses and the elites. When Diosdado Macapagal was elected president to succeed Carlos P. Garcia, his plan for the economy stated that he planned to resolve income inequality by making possible conditions that provided more income to those who need more to be able to meet their basic needs. He also planned to continue President Garcia's "Austerity Program" with his slogan of "simple living". However, this plan was undermined by his fellow Kapampangans and other members of the elite for they threw luxurious parties for him. Thus, Macapagal's "simple living" turned out to be mere rhetoric and only was true for the poor. Martial Law (1972–1991) In 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos placed the Philippines in a state of Martial Law because in that time, student demonstrations were becoming more violent for the demonstrators and law officers were becoming too unruly and uncontrollable. According to Marcos, his New Society, which was supposed to be the result of Martial Law, was based on the discontent of the poor which led to their struggle against the ruling classes. To help alleviate the unequal distribution of wealth in the Philippines, Marcos ordered that all