BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 8 -- Agusan del Norte Lone District Rep. Dale Corvera filed House Bill No. 5222 on Tuesday that seeks to prohibit public officers, relatives, and certain persons affiliated with them from entering into government contracts.

"The timeless principle in our Constitution that states 'A public office is a public trust' calls on every public official and employee to exercise integrity, accountability, and transparency in the faithful discharge of their duties for the benefit of the Filipino people," Corvera said in a statement on Wednesday.

He added that the principle has been tested in recent months by the renewed reports of corruption and irregularities in infrastructure projects, particularly in the flood control programs...