PALACE BACKS LIFETIME BLACKLISTING OF CORRUPT CONTRACTORS, SUPPLIERS, PROJECT CONSULTANTS

IN line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to eliminate corruption in government projects, Malacañang on Thursday called for the lifetime disqualification of contractors, suppliers, and consultants involved in anomalous public infrastructure projects.

“Pagpapataw ng lifetime blacklisting sa mga pasaway na contractors, suppliers at consultants, isinusulong alinsunod sa adhikain ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na tukuyin at puksain ang korapsyon sa mga proyekto ng pamahalaan,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer and Claire Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

Castro said based on the President’s directive, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman pushed for the strict implementation of the blacklisting provision under Republic Act (RA) No. 12009.

RA No. 12009, also known as the New Government Procurement Act of 2024, provides for the perpetual disqualification from government bidding of contract implementors who repeatedly violated the procurement regulations.

The new law aims to keep the procurement process transparent and promote accountability in the use of public funds, Castro said.

The DBM also wanted to increase the severity of penalties against private individuals and companies found to have neglected or violated government contracts, Castro said.

Castro said contractors, suppliers and consultants who have committed at least three violations of the procurement regulations will be penalized with a lifetime disqualification and banned from transacting for any government project.

“Inaasahang mabisang deterrent ang bagong probisyon ng batas upang wakasan ang paglustay sa kaban ng bayan at proteksyunan ang kapakanan ng mamamayan,” Castro said.