UPHOLD PUBLIC TRUST: Lawmakers Must Be Lawmakers, Not "Contractors"
The strength and honesty of our government depend on one simple rule — a clear separation of powers. Lawmakers are chosen by the people to create laws, check the actions of the Executive branch, and review and approve the national budget.
They are not supposed to be involved in government contracts or act like contractors themselves. Mixing these two roles creates a clear conflict of interest — it opens the door to corruption and destroys public trust.
The Conflict is Obvious
Our laws already say that public officials cannot have a financial interest in government deals where they have influence or control.
But despite this, there are still reports and investigations showing that some lawmakers — often called “congtractors” — or their family members are involved in winning big government projects, especially for public works.
| Role | Main Duty | Conflict of Interest |
|---|
| Lawmaker | To create laws and decide how government funds are spent on projects. | Having personal or family business ties to the same projects they fund or oversee. |
| Contractor | To complete projects for profit, following quality and deadline standards. | May focus more on profit than on quality and honesty in the project. |
🚨 What Happens When Lawmakers Act Like Contractors
1. Corruption and Poor Quality Projects
When lawmakers or their families handle government projects, there’s a huge chance of overpricing, fake projects, or poor-quality work. This wastes taxpayers’ money and leaves us with broken roads, weak bridges, or flood projects that don’t even work.
2. No Fair Budget Checking
How can lawmakers properly review or question the budget of the DPWH or other agencies if they themselves — or their relatives — are doing the projects? Their personal gain gets in the way of public service.
3. Loss of Public Trust
This kind of behavior makes people lose faith in the government. It makes citizens believe that being in public office is not about serving the country, but about making money.
⚖️ What Must Be Done
Public office is a public trust. We already have laws like RA 3019 (Anti-Graft Law) and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct for Public Officials), but these must be strictly enforced and strengthened.
📜 Proposed Actions
1. Stronger Laws
Pass a law that clearly bans any relative of a public official — up to the fourth degree — from joining government projects or becoming suppliers while the official is in office and for some time after.
2. Full Divestment
All officials must be required to give up or remove their business interests that could affect their work before taking office — verified by an independent body.
3. Firm Investigation and Punishment
The DOJ, Ombudsman, and CSC must quickly investigate and punish those proven to be “congtractors,” including lifetime bans from holding office.
The Bottom Line
Lawmakers must make laws, not profit from them.
Let’s bring back integrity, accountability, and trust in public service. The Filipino people deserve leaders who serve — not those who take advantage.
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