Biz groups: Bar political families from government contracts

In a statement yesterday, the Management Association of the Philippines, Institute of Corporate Directors and Justice Reform Initiative pushed for refinements in the proposed Government Contracting and Procurement Integrity Act even as it welcomed the Senate’s approval of the bill.

STAR / File

MANILA, Philippines — Business groups are urging the government to strengthen safeguards and enforcement mechanisms under a bill barring families of public officials from securing government contracts.

In a statement yesterday, the Management Association of the Philippines, Institute of Corporate Directors and Justice Reform Initiative pushed for refinements in the proposed Government Contracting and Procurement Integrity Act even as it welcomed the Senate’s approval of the bill.

Senate Bill 1962 was approved on third and final reading earlier this month.

“Family-linked procurement creates inherent conflicts of interest, weakens competitive bidding and undermines public confidence even where transactions are technically compliant. SB 1962 addresses this risk at the source by restricting conflicted relationships rather than relying only on disclosure or after-the-fact enforcement,” the groups said.

Among the refinements being pushed by the groups is to require disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners and allow procurement authorities to look through nominee and layered corporate structures.