Many developing countries have been beset by persistent problems of inequality and poverty. The Philippines is one of those countries. Its gross national income (GNI) per capita is now the lowest among the five original ASEAN member countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand). Its inequality and poverty metrics at 46 percent (Gini coefficient, 2012) and 25.2 percent (headcount, 2012), respectively, remain the highest relative to the four other ASEAN originals plus newcomer Vietnam. This situation has persisted despite the country's economic growth during the current administration averaging 6.2 percent, the highest over the last four decades or so.