Members of the National Unity Party on 23 February 2026 filed two measures seeking to categorically ban public officials from participating in government procurement, marking it as part of the party’s priority legislative agenda for 2026.
The first measure, House Bill No. 7917, also known as the proposed Anti–“Cong-tractor” Bill, seeks to amend Republic Act No. 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act.
The second measure, House Resolution No. 810, proposes amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives to expressly define financial interests in government contracts as “disorderly behavior” warranting expulsion from Congress.
The bill imposes an absolute prohibition on all elective and appointive public officials, as well as their relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, nominees, agents and beneficial owners, from participating in any stage of government procurement.
It also provides for automatic disqualification, cancellation of award, forfeiture of bid security, contract termination, blacklisting and the filing of administrative, civil and criminal cases in cases of misrepresentation or circumvention.
“This is a top legislative priority for our Party,” NUP Chairman and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno said. “The objective is clear: to categorically prohibit all public officials, appointive or elective, from participating in government procurement.”
Puno said the measure addresses what he described as a long-standing gap in the law.
“For years, we have relied on general provisions and penalties after the fact,” Puno said. “There must be no doubt. No ambiguity. No room for creative interpretation. If you are a public official, you cannot be a contractor. Period.”
Puno added that the NUP is also moving to strengthen the House’s internal rules through the filed resolution.
“We are serious about this reform,” Puno said. “In fact we are not waiting for a law to pass. We are calling for an amendment of the House Rules now to make it unmistakably clear that any direct or indirect financial interest in government contracts is grounds for expulsion.”
The accompanying House Resolution seeks to amend Section 141 of Rule XX of the House Rules to expressly classify any direct or indirect financial interest of a member in government contracts as a ground for expulsion.
Unlike general ethical standards, the proposed amendment would create a specific and defined ground for discipline. Upon a verified finding by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, the penalty would be expulsion, subject to the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds vote.
The NUP said it will prioritize the immediate passage of the Anti–“Cong-tractor” Bill and the corresponding House Rules amendment as part of its legislative agenda. The NUP is currently the second largest political party in the House of Representatives.