Escudero pushes to ban officials’ relatives as gov’t contractors
Metro Manila, Philippines - In response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s strong condemnation of corruption in flood control projects, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced plans to file a bill prohibiting relatives of public officials from securing government contracts.
“Maghahain kami ng panukalang batas na ang layunin ipagbawal ang sinumang mambabatas o opisyal ng pamahalaan, nasyonal man o lokal, na maging kontraktor o supplier sa pamahalaan,” Escudero said during a press conference on Tuesday, July 29, a day after the president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
[Translation: We will file a bill that aims to ban, up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity, any relative of lawmakers or government officials—whether national or local—from becoming a contractor or supplier for the government.]
These include immediate family members, grandparents, grandchildren, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandparents, great-aunts and uncles, first cousins, and grandnieces and grandnephews.
“Para sa akin, klarong conflict of interest ‘yon [For me, that clearly represents a conflict of interest],” he added.
Escudero said his office is currently drafting the bill, which may be filed by Wednesday. He hopes the proposal will be included in the list of priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) for the 20th Congress.
He also shared that he was among those who applauded Marcos when the president addressed corruption, conflict of interest, and misuse of public funds in his SONA on Monday.
Marcos delivered a scathing rebuke of those behind irregularities that led to substandard flood control projects, noting that he had personally witnessed the consequences during inspections following devastating storms.
“Mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino,” Marcos said, drawing a standing ovation from the audience at the Batasang Pambansa.
