^Exactly. It might be just that crucial comparative advantage that'll turn the Phils around. After all with better job prospects from foreign companies and a generally better outlook for the economy other things like poverty related crime might actually improve as well. And I am firmly convinced that big, fully foreign owned companies are much less affected with low level corruption, as they simply won't have to care much about the whims of local officials with a government that aims to promote foreign investment.
Certainly not the cure for everything, but a big leap forward should it actually abandon the 40/60 quota and allow foreign property ownership.

edit: And all Thais I know who work for a foreign managed company would never want to go back to a Thai managed one. A job in Rayong is still way better paid than similar jobs in other regions of Thailand, but higher salaries seems to be just one small advantage, according to them.