Poverty and underdevelopment exist in areas where "fat" political dynasties thrive, according to the dean of the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) School of Government (ASOG).
In an interview with CNN Philippines Tuesday night, Nov. 9, ASOG Dean Ronald Mendoza defined "fat" dynasties as those clans with two or more family members who are currently incumbent elective officials.
"Pag yan yung definition at nakikita natin yan sa iba't ibang parte ng bansa, humihirap yung lugar at nawawalan ng development push, nagkakaroon ng greater poverty, at underdevelopment. Particularly if you're outside Metro Manila (If it fits our definition then it's a fat dynasty, and areas where fat dynasties are observed suffer from greater poverty and underdevelopment)," Mendoza explained.
He added that "fat" dynasties also bring "weaker checks and balances" in local government units, as well as impunity, corruption, and violence.
"Basta nagkaroon ng sabay-sabay na panunungkulan, napakahirap nang isipin na magkakaroon ng accountability. Una kasi wala nang checks and balances kasi magkakasabay na kayong makakapangyarihan, sino pang magsusuheto sa inyo kung mali yung ginagawa ninyo? (If they simultaneously hold multiple government positions, it's difficult to imagine that there's accountability. First of all, there are no more checks and balances because family members all hold powerful positions, who else will police them if what they're doing is wrong?)," Mendoza added.
"Thin" dynasty, meanwhile, is defined as a political clan with family members that follow each other in elected positions over time or once a family member's term has ended.
"Magkaiba lang, yung sunud-sunod, may konti pang delicadeza kasi ayaw nilang tumakbo nang sabay-sabay. So ginagawa nila, orderly nagsusunud-sunod lang sila, si lolo, si anak, si apo. Hindi sila nagsasabay-sabay (Thin dynasty is kind of different, they still have a delicadeza because family members do not want to run at together at the same time. So they just do it in order, the grandfather will run first, then the son, and the grandson. They don't run at the same time)," Mendoza continued.
"Sa ibang lugar, sabay-sabay na. Yung magkapatid, mag-ama, mag-ina, mag-asawa (In many places, family members run at the same time. Siblings, father and his children, mother and her children, and even married couples). Nagkakaroon tuloy ng (So there's) fat dynasty and that is the definition and pattern that is most associated with poverty and underdevelopment," he added.
He noted that, currently, 80 percent of governors, 67 percent of congressmen, and 53 percent of mayors are in "fat" dynasties.
Among the provinces, Maguindanao had the most officials belonging to a "fat" dynasty, with about 50.54 percent of political posts.
Mendoza earlier said that "fat" dynasties increased to 29 percent after the 2019 midterm elections.