The Senate on Wednesday, September 2, approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1962, or the proposed “Government Contracting and Procurement Integrity Act,” which seeks to disqualify relatives of public officials from securing government contracts.
The measure was approved with 15 senators voting in favor, zero against, and zero abstentions.
Under Senate Bill No. 1962, relatives of public officials up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity would be prohibited from entering into government contracts.
The proposed prohibition covers elected officials, Cabinet secretaries and undersecretaries, members of governing boards of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as other government officials involved in procurement processes.
The measure aims to strengthen integrity and prevent conflicts of interest in government procurement by restricting public officials’ relatives from benefiting from government contracts.
With its approval on third reading, the bill will move forward in the legislative process for consideration alongside the corresponding measure in the House of Representatives.
