The House Committee on Revision of Laws on Monday approved a substitute bill prohibiting relatives of public officials within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity from bidding for or participating in government contracts.
The unnumbered measure, which consolidated various legislative proposals, aims to curb nepotism and corruption in public procurement by explicitly disqualifying family members of officials who wield influence over state projects. To ensure compliance, the bill also mandates the creation of a comprehensive conflict-of-interest registry.
Under the proposed guidelines, the prohibition remains strictly enforced throughout the incumbent official’s tenure and extends for three additional years following their separation from government service.
The restrictions specifically target relatives of individuals with direct authority or access to procurement information, including the Head of the Procuring Entity (HOPE), members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), the Technical Working Group (TWG), and the BAC Secretariat.
Also covered are heads of Project Management Offices, end-user or implementing units, project consultants, procurement agents, and any other elective or appointive officials capable of influencing bidding outcomes.
Violators face severe legal repercussions. Any public official found knowingly facilitating, approving, or participating in a prohibited contract faces a prison sentence of six to 12 years and a fine ranging from ₱500,000 to ₱2 million.
The penalty also carries administrative sanctions, including automatic dismissal from the service, forfeiture of all benefits, and perpetual disqualification from both holding public office and participating in future government biddings.
House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos initiated the anti-nepotism drive, filing the foundational version of the measure at the start of the 20th Congress.