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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Public officials' kin banned from bagging government contracts under Villafuertes' bill

Public officials' kin banned from bagging government contracts under Villafuertes' bill

Published Feb 7, 2026 11:50 pm

At A Glance

  • Camarines Sur-based congressmen are seeking the swift passage of a measure that outlaws the acquisition of government contracts by close relatives of sitting public officials.
Camarines Sur 5th district Rep. Migz Villafuerte (left), 2nd district Rep. Luigi Villafuerte (Facebook)
Camarines Sur 5th district Rep. Migz Villafuerte (left), 2nd district Rep. Luigi Villafuerte (Facebook)


Camarines Sur-based congressmen are seeking the swift passage of a measure that outlaws the acquisition of government contracts by close relatives of sitting public officials.
Camarines Sur 5th district Rep. Migz Villafuerte and 2nd district Rep. Luigi Villafuerte filed for this purpose House Bill (HB) No. 5981, which, if enacted, would prohibit all relatives of public officials within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from entering into any government contract. 
The Villafuertes are pursuing the bill in the backdrop of a heightened calls for transparency in government amid the flood control projects corruption scandal.
They said HB No.5981 aimed to reinforce existing policies and safeguard measures in government procurement, as indicated in Republic Act (RA) No. 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act.
The authors said the measure would strengthen mechanisms for state procurement, particularly in the areas of transparency, competitiveness, efficiency, proportionality, accountability, public monitoring, professionalization, sustainability, and value for money. 
The fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity covers spouses, children, parents, cousins, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, great aunts, great uncles, grand nephews, grand nieces, great-grandparents, great-great grandparents, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren by virtue of blood relations or marriage.   
HB No.5981 states that “The necessary IRR (implementing rules and regulations) of this Act shall be jointly promulgated by the GPPB (Government Procurement Policy Board), DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), PPP (Public Private Partnership) Center and GCGG  (Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations or GOCCs), in consultation with the concerned government agencies.”
“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,'” it added.
Section 1 of the bill on “Disqualification on the Basis of Relationship” states that, “Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all relatives of public officials within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity shall be barred from entering into any government contract.”
The bill defines "public official" as the 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. 
The term "government contract” is defined, meanwhile, in the bill as “any contract between a private entity and any government agency or instrumentality, including GOCCs (Government-Owned or Controlled Corporation) 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".
Contracts also cover “(e) other similar or analogous agreements or undertakings to which the latter is the procuring party, partner, shareholder, implementing agency, end user, or a party contributing public funds or property: Provided, That, this shall exclude contracts that are highly technical, proprietary, or confidential in nature".
The bill provides that within 60 days from the effectivity of this Act, the GPPB, DILG, PPP Center and GCG, in consultation with government agencies concerned, shall jointly promulgate the IRR necessary to effectively implement its provisions.
The Villafuertes penned HB No.5981 with Camarines Sur 1st district Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon.
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