Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Relatives of public officials within the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity will not be allowed to participate in all government contracts, if Senate Bill 783 is passed into law.The Senate Subcommittee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation held a hearing on the measure on Tuesday.Also known as an Act disqualifying relatives of public officials within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity in all government contracts, the bill defines public officials as “heads of agency, heads of procuring entity, members of governing board, or any public officer or employee exercising policy-determining, supervisory, or managerial functions, whether in the career or non-career service, including military and uniformed personnel, whether or not they receive compensation, regardless of amount.”Elected officials are also included, according to Subcommittee Chairperson Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.He said those covered under the fourth civil degree include the spouse, children, siblings, parents, up to firs cousins.“The logic behind fourth civil degree is the farther it is, the bigger the risk. What risk am I talking about? The bigger the risk na tatakbuhan ka na. Unlike a spouse or a child or a sibling,” Escudero said.Government contracts, meanwhile, include supplies, materials, machinery, equipment, services, infrastructure projects, joint ventures, public-private partnership projects, and other similar or analogous agreements or undertaking.Relatives of a village councilor, for example, may not participate in government contracts in the same village, municipality, city, and province, according to Escudero.The same goes for relatives of a mayor; they will not be allowed to participate in government contracts within the official’s jurisdiction and province.Relatives of the President, Vice President and Senators will be prohibited from contracts of all government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, and local government units.The liability will be on the relative who participated in the bidding and violated the law.As such, an undertaking will be required stating that the person participating in the procurement proceedings is not related to a public official within the fourth civill degree of consanguinity and affinity.“The mode of checking is kasama sa mga submission ire-require ng GPBB pati ng COA would be that undertaking and their affidavit that no one in the company or any of its officers to the tune of 20% at least is a relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, legal or illegal, including ah, ewan ko na kung paano mo nga iwo-wording yun, including special relationships are/is present that would constitute a violation of this bill should it become a law,” Escudero explained.  “Now what will happen is each and every family will now have to make a choice. Will you enter public service or do you want to engage in business with government? That choice will now have to be made by each and every person either joining government or has a contract or has a business interest in government. Mamili sila. You cannot have both,” he added.  Escudero clarified that a contract will not be affected if it is already ongoing when a relative wins in the elections.Sen. Erwin Tulfo asked whether girlfriends or boyfriends are also covered by the bill.Escudero answered in the negative. He said extramarital partners are also not covered in the current form of the bill.“The law in the constitution clearly frowns upon this kind of relationship. And for us to make mention of it in a law will somehow be giving recognition perhaps or credence to that kind of arrangement. Because if at all, correct me if I’m wrong, for those who are lawyers here, that will be the first time we will be recognizing or putting a status on an extramarital affair that will have a legal and binding effect in law,” Escudero said.He noted that the period of amendments will be an opportunity to discuss the matter.“We are treading new waters here. Because we’re looking into relations and trying to prohibit and limit choices simply because at the end of the day, we don’t trust the system. Let’s admit it. We don’t trust our electoral system that’s why we want to tie the hands of the voters as to who they can vote for, we want to tie the hands of the candidates as to who can run,” Escudero said.“Ultimately we don’t trust the procurement process. Because the procurement process should be able to weed all these out. But since we don’t, then we have to come up with these stricter rules,” he added.The Philippine Competition Commission and Philippines Constructors’ Association expressed support for the bill.The Policy and Planning Service (PPP) said the bill aligns with its policy of ensuring open, fair, transparent, and competitive selection.Escudero aims to release their committee report on Monday, March 16. He hopes the bill will be approved by the Senate before Congress’ recess this month or when it returns in May.

Relatives of public officials within the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity will not be allowed to participate in all government contracts, if Senate Bill 783 is passed into law.

Relatives of public officials within the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity will not be allowed to participate in all government contracts, if Senate Bill 783 is passed into law.

Senate bill bars relatives of officials from gov't contracts

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Senate bill bars relatives of officials from gov't contracts

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 10, 2026 04:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Senate

Senate bill

Senate Bill 783

government contracts

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.