MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to bar relatives of government officials from securing public contracts, a legislative push championed by Senate President Win Gatchalian to strengthen transparency and curb corruption.
Senate Bill No. 1962, also known as the Government Contracting and Procurement Integrity Act, prohibits individuals within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to a public official from transacting with government agencies where their relatives hold official responsibilities.
The restriction covers both national and local elected officials, Cabinet secretaries, high-ranking administrators, officers and members of government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), and officials of state universities and colleges.
Gatchalian emphasized that the legislation is designed to ensure that public funds directly benefit the citizenry rather than enrich individuals connected to those in power.
“Importante na maisabatas natin ito sa lalong madaling panahon para masiguro natin na ang pondo ng bayan ay napupunta sa mga programa at proyekto na makakatulong sa taong-bayan at hindi lang sa mga kamag-anak ng mga nasa kapangyarihan,” he said.
The measure comes amid growing public scrutiny and demands for accountability regarding the funding and execution of government infrastructure initiatives, particularly flood control projects.
By tightening procurement rules, lawmakers aim to eliminate conflicts of interest and prevent officials’ families from leveraging political ties for profitable business deals.