Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED
pate 31 JUL 205

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 281.1

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
1* District, Ilocos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Government infrastructure projects must be implemented with strict adherence to
standards of safety and quality, as prescribed by law and by competent authorities. These
standards are not mere formalities, they are essential safeguards of public welfare, fiscal
responsibility, and the long-term utility of state investments.

Article II, Section 27 of the 1987 Constitution declares that:

"The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and
take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption."

This constitutional mandate demands accountability not only for acts of corruption but
also for gross negligence, which can result in wasteful spending, substandard outputs, and
threats to public safety. y
This legislative measure seeks to criminalize gross negligence on the part of contractors
and subcontractors engaged in government infrastructure projects, particularly when such
negligence results in structural defects, project failures, or safety hazards that undermine
the public interest. Further, this bill strengthens the accountability framework across the
procurement and project implementation, and protects the Filipino people from the grave
consequences of negligent execution of government-funded projects.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2811

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
1* District, locos Norte

AN ACT
CRIMINALIZING NEGLIGENCE ON GOVERNMENT PROJECTS WHOSE
QUALITY OF WORK IS BELOW PRESCRIBED STANDARDS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Criminalizing Negligent Contractors Act."

SEC. 2. The State shall promote the integrity of government projects by ensuring the
optimum quality with which they are undertaken. As such, it shall outlaw the negligence
of contractors and subcontractors of government projects.

SEC. 3. Any contractor, subcontractor, or person acting on their behalf who, through
gross negligence, causes the quality of work on a government project to fall below the
standards prescribed in the contract, applicable laws, or technical specifications, shall be
held criminally liable. Gross negligence under this Act includes, but is not limited to, acts
or omissions that result in material deviation from contract specifications or approved
plans; compromise of structural integrity or public safety; or use of substandard materials.

SEC. 4. Any person, including contractors, subcontractors, corporate officers,
government employees, or juridical entity found guilty of gross negligence under this Act,
whether as principal, accomplice, or accessory, shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment
of not less than six (6) years but not more than twelve (12) years; or a fine of not less than
Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00); or both at the discretion of the court. In addition, the
court shall automatically impose, alongside the principal penalty, the accessory penalty of
perpetual disqualification from holding public office and from participating, directly or
indirectly, in any government procurement or project.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days upon publication in the Official Gazette
and in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,