A House panel on Monday approved a proposed measure seeking to bar relatives of public officials up to the fourth degree of consanguinity from entering into government contracts, as lawmakers push for tighter safeguards against conflicts of interest in public spending.
The House Committee on Revision of Laws agreed to consolidate several related bills, including measures filed by Speaker Faustino “Bodjie” Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos.
Committee chair and Rizal Rep. Emigdio Tanjuatco III said the proposal aims to strengthen anti-corruption safeguards while also considering practical concerns involving local government units and possible constitutional issues.
The measure comes amid ongoing executive and congressional inquiries into flood control projects allegedly linked to lawmakers and companies that secured government contracts.
Under the proposed bill, the prohibition would cover parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, and other relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity.
Government contracts covered by the measure would include agreements involving supplies, infrastructure projects, joint ventures, public funds, and public property entered into with government offices, agencies, instrumentalities, government-owned or controlled corporations, and local government units.
Existing law under Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, already prohibits public officials and employees from directly or indirectly having financial or material interest in transactions requiring approval from their office.
The proposed measure seeks to expand those safeguards by covering potential conflicts involving close and extended relatives of public officials.
However, contracts deemed highly technical, proprietary, or confidential in nature would be exempted from the proposed prohibition.