Manila, July 29 -- Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said he is set to file a bill prohibiting public officials and their relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity from engaging in government contracts as contractors or suppliers.

Escudero said the proposed measure is a direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to eliminate corruption, conflict of interest, and misuse of public funds in government transactions.

"Para sa akin, klarong conflict of interest 'yun at hindi dapat pinapahintulutan nang hindi mawawala 'yung opisina na pinanghahawakan ng opisyal (To me, it's a clear conflict of interest and should not be allowed without cost to the offici...