Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to impose a permanent ban on shareholders, incorporators, and executives of companies involved in ghost and substandard government infrastructure projects. The DTI oversees the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), which is responsible for regulating contractors.  

“Napakadaling gumawa ng korporasyon dito, at pare-pareho lang ang mga shareholders. I suggest to ban them. Pati mga incorporators, mag-iincorporate na naman sila at papalitan lang ang pangalan ng kumpanya. Dapat hindi na sila sumali sa mga government projects,” Gatchalian said during the hearing on the DTI’s proposed 2026 budget.

He said PCAB should adopt a similar policy implemented by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), which extends the blacklisting of companies participating in government bidding to their shareholders and relatives. GPPB serves as the central body for public procurement policy in the country. 

“We have to penalize these suppliers and contractors. Even if PCAB penalizes them, they still manage to join other government contracts, including supply projects. So, coordinate with GPBB as well. Kapag ban na sa PCAB, dapat ban na agad sa GPBB and vice versa,” he told the DTI.

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN