SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian said Senate Bill 1962, or the proposed Government Contracting and Procurement Integrity Act, is a vital safeguard to transparency in government contracts, as his colleagues approved the measure on third and final reading.
”It is important that we enact this into law as soon as possible to ensure that public funds are directed toward programs and projects that benefit the people, rather than merely serving the relatives of those in power,” said Gatchalian, a principal author of the bill.
Under the bill, relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity are strictly prohibited from entering into contracts with government agencies where their kin exercise official functions or influence. The anti-nepotism ban encompasses immediate family as well as extended relations up to first cousins, including parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.
The broad coverage applies to elected national and local officials, Cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, officers and board members of government-owned and -controlled corporations, and officials of state universities and colleges, along with their designated alternates.
The bill covers a comprehensive scope of government transactions, including public infrastructure projects, procurement of goods and services, supplies, machinery, joint ventures and public-private partnership agreements involving public funds or government property.
To enforce compliance, the proposed law imposes severe penal sanctions. Public officials and personnel who violate the prohibition face imprisonment ranging from one to three years, fines of at least P100,000 and perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.
The measure will undergo bicameral reconciliation before it is submitted to the president for signature.
