House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos has filed a measure seeking to impose criminal penalties on contractors responsible for poorly executed government infrastructure projects.
The proposal, House Bill No. 2811, is titled the “Criminalizing Negligent Contractors Act” and aims to punish those whose gross negligence results in government projects failing to meet required standards.
“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,” the bill stated.
Marcos filed the measure three days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025, where he raised concerns over anomalous flood control projects.
The bill declared that government infrastructure must be carried out under strict safety and quality requirements, stressing that such standards are necessary to protect the public and ensure proper use of state funds.
“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,” it read.
It further stated: “Govemnment 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,” HB No.2811 further stated.
Under Section 4 of the bill, those convicted of gross negligence may face imprisonment or fines, depending on the court’s ruling.
“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,” the bill stated.
Aside from imprisonment or monetary penalties, the court would also automatically impose a lifetime ban on offenders from holding public office and from joining any government procurement or infrastructure projects, whether directly or indirectly.
The bill defines “gross negligence” as acts or failures that cause major deviation from approved plans, weaken structural integrity, endanger public safety, or involve the use of inferior construction materials.
In explaining the filing of the measure, Marcos said the Constitution calls for accountability not only in corruption cases but also in negligence that can lead to wasted public funds and threats to the public.
“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,” the second-term congressman added.
