The Senate has designated Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to head a new subcommittee under the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation that will tackle the bill banning relatives of public officials from entering into government contracts.

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero (Facebook)

Escudero’s designation was approved during Monday’s plenary session after Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri disclosed the request of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who chairs the parent committee.

The Upper Chamber then referred Senate Bill No. 783, which Escudero filed, to the said subcommittee, underscoring its role in bolstering transparency and accountability in public procurement. 

“This subcommittee will ensure that integrity in public service is not only discussed but institutionalized,” Escudero said. 

“By disqualifying relatives of officials from government contracts, we close the loopholes that allow undue influence and strengthen the country’s procurement safeguards as part of our continuing efforts to fight graft and corruption,” he added. 

Escudero vowed to ensure that the panel’s subsequent hearings will fast-track deliberations and consolidate legislative proposals that safeguard government procurement from familial and political interference.

“Makakaasa ang taumbayan na ang mga pulong na ating pangungunahan ay mananatiling transparent at bukas sa pagdinig ng bawa’t panig upang matiyak na ang resulta ng mga public hearings na ito ay malinaw, at tunay na nagsusulong ng tapat na pamahalaan (The people can expect that the meetings we will lead will remain transparent and open to hearing from all sides to ensure that the results of these public hearings are clear, and truly promote honest government),” the senator stressed.

The bill primarily seeks to introduce reforms and address the loopholes in government procurement processes by banning officials and their kin from government projects to “boost procurement safeguards” and close gaps that allow undue influence in public transactions.

Escudero stressed that such reforms are vital to restoring public trust and ensuring that government resources are allocated fairly and transparently. 

Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Joel Villanueva were also made co-authors of SB No. 783.