Senator Francis Escudero has been designated to chair a newly created Senate subcommittee tasked with reviewing proposed legislation that would prohibit relatives of public officials from obtaining government contracts.
The subcommittee’s formation was approved in plenary following a motion from Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, head of the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation.
The panel will take up Senate Bill No. 783, a measure filed by Escudero in August 2025, which seeks to tighten procurement rules and promote greater transparency in public projects.
Escudero said the bill aims at “strengthening public accountability by closing loopholes that allow undue influence in state projects.”
He emphasized the need for stronger safeguards in government procurement processes to rebuild trust in public institutions.
“The subcommittee will ensure that integrity in public service is not only discussed but institutionalized,” Escudero remarked.
“By disqualifying relatives of officials from government contracts, we close the loopholes that allow undue influence and strengthen the country’s procurement safeguards as part of our continuing efforts to fight graft and corruption.”
He added that hearings would be conducted openly and with broad stakeholder engagement.
“Makakaasa ang taumbayan na ang mga pulong na ating pangungunahan ay mananatiling transparent at bukas sa pagdinig ng bawa’t panig upang matiyak na ang resulta ng mga public hearings na ito ay malinaw, at tunay na nagsusulong ng tapat na pamahalaan,” Escudero said.
The initiative comes amid continuing scrutiny surrounding the senator. Former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo previously testified that he allegedly transferred 20 percent of roughly ₱800 million — or about ₱160 million — to businessman Maynard Ngu, who has been described as a “bagman” linked to Escudero.
Separately, an ethics complaint was filed against Escudero in October last year over a ₱30 million campaign contribution he reportedly received in 2022 from government contractor Lawrence Lubiano.