Senator Gatchalian wants public officials’ relatives banned from gov’t contracts

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the swift enactment of a bill that prohibits relatives of public officials from securing government contracts, arguing that public funds should benefit ordinary citizens rather than the families of 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,” Gatchalian said in a statement Wednesday.

(“It is critical that we pass this law as soon as possible to ensure public funds are directed to programs and projects that help ordinary citizens, not just the relatives of those in power.”)

The Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1962, also known as the Government Contracting and Procurement Integrity Act, on its third and final reading in September.

If enacted, the bill would bar relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of covered public officials and personnel from participating in government procurement and contracts.

The restriction extends to joint ventures, consortiums, subcontracting arrangements, and public-private partnerships (PPPs). It covers agreements between private entities and government agencies for infrastructure projects as well as the supply of goods, equipment, and services.