Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday sought to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption efforts through a new measure that would bar public officials and their relatives up to the fourth civil degree from participating in government contracts.
“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,” he said.
Senate Bill No. 783 aims to reinforce the Philippines’ procurement safeguards and prevent conflicts of interest in state transactions.
Escudero’s measure builds on the recently passed Republic Act No. 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act, and seeks to close remaining loopholes that allow questionable deals to persist.
“This bill is a response to persistent irregularities and corruption in government contracts,” the Senate leader said in the explanatory note.
Under SB 783, the disqualification will apply to contracts involving infrastructure, supplies, joint ventures, and public-private partnerships.
However, transactions classified as highly technical, proprietary, or confidential will be exempted from the ban.
Despite existing rules, the senator noted that favoritism and political interference continue to affect transparency and fairness in the procurement process.
“By extending disqualification to a broader circle of relatives, we aim to restore public trust and ensure that procurement processes are truly merit-based,” he said.
The bill also clarifies the term “public official,” which includes individuals in policy-making, supervisory, or managerial positions, whether in career or non-career service.
Military and uniformed personnel are also covered under the measure, regardless of their rank or assignment.
To ensure uniform enforcement, the bill directs 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 issue implementing rules within 60 days of effectivity.
The measure will be referred to the appropriate Senate committee for further deliberation.
“SB 783 marks a strategic step in our broader push for institutional resilience, transparency, and systemic reform,” Escudero concluded.
