04-08-2025
Escudero: Banning kin of public officials from gov't contracts will prevent corruption
Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero formally filed Monday a measure seeking to disqualify relatives of public officials up to fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity from entering into government contracts in a bid to fight graft and corruption.
Escudero said that Senate Bill No. 783 would respond to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s call in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to eliminate conflicts of interest and reinforce integrity in public transactions.
'This measure affirms our shared commitment to the President's call for clean governance. It's time we close the gaps that allow undue influence to persist in public contracts,' the Senate President said.
In his explanatory note, Escudero said the bill seeks 'to eliminate potential avenues for corruption, and uphold fairness, transparency, impartiality, and accountability in the procurement process and the utilization of public funds.'
'Government contract,' under the bill, refers to any contract between a private entity and any government agency or instrumentality, including government owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units. It applies to transactions involving supplies, infrastructure, joint ventures, and public-private partnerships, except those deemed highly technical, proprietary, or confidential.
The scope of 'public official,' meanwhile, was limited to those in policy-determining, supervisory, or managerial roles—whether in career or non-career service—and including military and uniformed personnel.
The bill also mandates the Government Procurement Policy Board, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Public-Private Partnership Center, and the Governance Commission for GOCCs to jointly promulgate implementing rules within 60 days of its effectivity.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee for deliberation.
In his fourth SONA, Marcos stressed that government personnel who steal public funds, such as those for flood control projects, should be ashamed.
The President tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways with submitting a list of flood control projects in the last three years.
Marcos also vowed that those at fault would be charged and held liable for their actions. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
