Manila, Philippines — With the aim to protect the integrity of elections, House Deputy Majority Leader and TGP party-list Representative Jose Teves Jr. filed House Bill 9142, or the proposed “Electoral Conflict of Interest Prevention Act.”
The measure would require all desired candidates to declare that they have nor members of their family hold financial interests in government contracts before filing their Certificate of Candidacy (COC).
The sworn declaration would have to be attached to the candidate’s COC.
Under the bill, failure to comply could lead to the denial or cancellation of the candidate’s COC.
Meanwhile those who falsify information such as hiding existing government contracts or enter into new government agreements after filing their COC could face permanent disqualification from public office, cancellation of their candidacy, and criminal liability.
Teves said existing laws already provide safeguards against corruption, but these generally apply once an individual assumes public office.
This creates a gap that could allow candidates with government contracts to continue benefiting from public funds while running for office.