Manila: Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday assured transparent and open deliberations as he prepares to chair a newly created Senate subcommittee that will tackle a bill seeking to disqualify public officials and their relatives from entering into government contracts.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Senate earlier approved Escudero's designation as chairperson of the new subcommittee under the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, following a request by Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, chairperson of the parent panel, as disclosed by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Senate Bill No. 783, titled 'An Act Disqualifying Relatives of Public Officials within the Fourth Civil Degree of Consanguinity and Affinity in All Government Contracts,' aims to bar relatives of public officials up to the fourth civil degree from entering into any government contract. The bill's explanatory note suggests that the proposal expands existing safeguards under Republic Act 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act, which currently mandates disclosure of relationships up to the third civil degree in procurement processes.

The proposed legislation defines 'public official' to include heads of agencies, members of governing boards, and officers exercising policy-determining, supervisory, or managerial functions, whether in the career or non-career service, including military and uniformed personnel. It also covers government contracts involving supplies, services, infrastructure projects, joint ventures, and public-private partnership projects with government agencies, government-owned or controlled corporations, and local government units.

Escudero, the principal author of the bill, stated that the measure would 'boost procurement safeguards' and close loopholes that allow undue influence in public transactions. '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 said.