MANILA, Philippines — Sandro Marcos, the House Majority Leader and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.‘s son, has filed House Bill 3661, which aims to bar relatives of public officials from securing government contracts.
The bill comes amid investigations into flood control corruption involving lawmakers and public officials with family ties to construction companies awarded multi-million-peso contracts.
House Bill 3661: What It Covers
Sandro Marcos introduced House Bill 3661 to disqualify relatives of public officials from engaging in government contracts. The bill targets family members up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, including first cousins, nephews, nieces-in-law, and cousins-in-law.
According to Marcos, the bill aims to promote transparency and ensure that government contracts are awarded based on merit, not familial ties.
Motivations Behind the Bill
Sandro Marcos highlighted that the bill seeks to close loopholes that allow relatives of public officials to gain unfair advantages in government dealings.
He stressed that government funds must serve the Filipino people, not enrich relatives or perpetuate corruption. “This is a step toward a government that is fair, transparent, and works for the people,” said Sandro Marcos.
Alleged Corruption Among Lawmakers with Contractor Relatives
The bill comes in the wake of reports by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, which revealed that several lawmakers have family ties with construction firms that have secured lucrative government contracts.
Notable examples include Rep. Elizaldy Co, Rep. Munir Arbison, Rep. Augustina Pancho, and Rep. Alyssa Michaela Gonzales. In the Senate, Sen. Bong Go’s father and half-brother are involved in construction businesses.
Independent Probe on Flood Control Projects
Amid the growing scandal, both the House and Senate have initiated probes into anomalous flood control projects. Sandro Marcos emphasized that the bill’s passage would help ensure that no lawmakers are able to manipulate the system for personal gain.
He also pointed out that the government needs to conduct a full review of ongoing projects to safeguard taxpayer money.
The Role of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure
To address the issue of corruption in public works, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which will be tasked with investigating corrupt practices in flood control projects.
The commission will be chaired by Andres Reyes Jr., with other members, including Rogelio Singson and Rossana Fajardo, leading the efforts to root out corruption in public infrastructure.
Conclusion
Sandro Marcos’ bill represents an important step in tackling corruption in the Philippines, specifically targeting family ties that lead to unfair advantages in government contracts.
As the investigations into flood control corruption continue, the bill reflects a commitment to creating a fair and transparent government that serves the Filipino people.
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