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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Substandard government projects to become a crime under Sandro Marcos bill

Substandard government projects to become a crime under Sandro Marcos bill

Published Feb 18, 2026 08:25 am

At A Glance

  • If House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos would have his way, he would make substandard government projects a punishable crime.
Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


If House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos would have his way, he would make substandard government projects a punishable crime.
This is provided for under Rep. Marcos' HB No.2811, also known as the proposed "Criminalizing Negligent Contractors Act".
"Any contractor, subcontractor, or person acting on their behalf who, through gross negligence, causes the quality of work on a government project to fall below the standards prescribed in the contract, applicable laws, or technical specifications, shall be held criminally liable," read the presidential son's bill.
In what could be viewed as a response to President Marcos' State of the Nation Addess (SONA) last July 28, 2025, wherein he blasted anomalous flood control projects, Rep. Marcos filed the bill just three days later.
"The State shall promote the integrity of government projects by ensuring the optimum quality with which they are undertaken. As such, it shall outlaw the negligence of contractors and subcontractors of government projects," it read.
"Govemnment infrastructure projects must be implemented with strict adherence to standards of safety and quality, as prescribed by law and by competent authorities. These standards are not mere formalities, they are essential safeguards of public welfare, fiscal responsibility, and the long-term utility of state investments," HB No.2811 further stated.
Section 4 of the bill reads: "Any person, including contractors, subcontractors, corporate officers, government employees, or juridical entity found guilty of gross negligence under this Act, whether as principal, accomplice, or accessory, shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than twelve (12) years; or a fine of not less than Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00); or both at the discretion of the court."
The court shall also automatically impose, alongside the principal penalty, the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office and from participating, directly or indirectly, in any government procurement or project.
"Gross negligence" under HB No.2811 includes, but is not limited to, acts or omissions that result in material deviation from contract specifications or approved plans, compromise of structural integrity or public safety, or use of substandard materials.
In filing the measure, Rep. Marcos argued that the Constitution "demands accountability not only for acts of corruption but also for gross negligence, which can result in wasteful spending, substandard outputs, and threats to public safety".
"Further, this bill strengthens the accountability framework across the procurement and project implementation, and protects the Filipino people from the grave consequences of negligent execution of government-funded projects," added the second-term congressman. 
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