Escudero to file bill banning officials' relatives from serving as contractors, suppliers

Senate President Francis ''Chiz'' Escudero said Tuesday that he would introduce a bill that would ban government officials' relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity from serving as suppliers and contractors.

''Bilang katugunan sa panawagan ng Pangulo kaugnay sa corruption, conflict of interest, at hindi tamang paggamit ng pondo, maghahain kami ng panukalang batas na ang layunin ay ipagbawal up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity ang sinumang mambabatas o opisyal ng pamahalaan, nasyunal man o lokal, na maging contractor o supplier sa pamahalaan,'' Escudero said at a press conference.

(In response to the call of the President in connection with corruption, conflict of interest, and mishandling of funds, I will file a bill that will ban relatives of public officials up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity from being contractors and suppliers for the government.)

''Para sa akin, klarong conflict of interest 'yun at hindi dapat pinapahintulutan 'yun,'' Escudero added.

(For me, that's a clear conflict of interest, and it should not be allowed.) 

The Senate leader said he wants this measure to be included in the priority bills, a topic that will be tackled during the senators' caucus later in the day. 

On Monday, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said during his fourth State of the Nation Address that government personnel who steal public funds, such as those for flood control projects, should be ashamed. 

The President tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways with submitting a list of flood control projects in the last three years.

Marcos also vowed that those at fault would be charged and held liable for their actions.

Senator Panfilo ''Ping'' Lacson said lawmakers from both chambers of Congress should take their cue from Marcos' latest pronouncements.

"The President capped his SONA with a pronouncement that he knows will hit his audience—that's us lawmakers... The pronouncement that those involved in anomalies in the flood control programs and the national budget should be ashamed should cut to the bone. Those who don't feel any shame would simply be bad to the bone," Lacson said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

Lacson also gave Marcos "very high marks" for his fourth SONA, as the President acknowledged the frustrations of the people at the beginning of his speech.

Lacson, who was part of the administration's slate in Eleksyon 2025, also said Marcos bared his plans for the next three years and ended his SONA with warnings against anomalies in the budget and flood control programs. —VBL, GMA Integrated News