This paper empirically tracks the Philippine (policy) path following the mantra of economic
globalization over the past 25 years. Specifically, it investigates the resulting regional growthinequality
relationships and development footprints accompanying the restructuring of political
economy and livelihoods. The Philippine case thereby shows how globalization can simultaneously
cause the selective dismantling of (economic) barriers and enhancement of mobility and growth,
as well as a deterioration of socioeconomic inequalities in space and society. In an increasingly
deregulated and contested environment these development divides do not just pose serious threats
to regional balance and national cohesion but, ultimately, undermine state capacity to achieve
avowed goals of inclusive growth, stability and equality for citizens.