GUSTO nina Deputy Majority Leaders Luigi Villafuerte at Migz Villafuerte na ipagbawal ang mga malalapit na kamag-anak ng mga government officials na makakuha ng government contracts.

Ipino-propose ng dalawa ang amendatory law sa RA 12009 o ang “New Government Procurement Act,” para palakasin ang transparency, competitiveness, efficiency, proportionality, accountability, public monitoring, professionalization, sustainability at value for money sa mga state procurement.

Palalakasin ito kung maipapasa ang HB 5981 na naglalayong ipagbawal ang lahat ng kamag-anak ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno hanggang sa fourth civil degree of consanguinity na makakuha ng anumang government contract.

Ayon kay Rep. Migz, “Officials must serve as the epitome of transparency and guardians of impartiality in government processes, as Section 1, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution states that: ‘Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.’”

Kasama sa may akda ng HB 5981 si Camarines Sur Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata at Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon.

Dine-defina sa bill ang “public official” na “heads of agencies, heads of procuring entities, members of governing boards, or public officers or employees 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.”

Ipinaliliwanag din sa HB 5981 ang “government contract” na: “any contract between a private entity and any government agency or instrumentality, including GOCCs and local government units (LGUs), that pertains to: (a) supplies, materials, machinery, equipment, and services; (b) infrastructure projects; (c) joint ventures; and (d) PPP projects.”