The passage of a bill which seeks to penalize overcharging of goods and services in government contracts is being pushed at the House of Representatives.

ARC party-list Representative Narciso Santiago III said House Bill 6526 which he filed should be passed into law as it would “deter profiteering and fraud in government contracts relating to military actions, relief and reconstruction efforts in the country.

The bill needs to be passed because “the government has frequently sought and continues to seek goods and services from private contractors in preparing for and implementing military action and reconstruction efforts to successfully fulfill its mission,” he said.

“At present, our government’s contracting system lacks contractor accountability,” Santiago said.

He said he filed the measure in response to the prevailing public sentiment to change the procurement system in the government.

Under the measure, violators will include any person who knowingly or willfully executes or attempts to execute a scheme or artifice to defraud the government.

The anti-profiteering bill seeks to penalize violators with a fine ranging from not less than P100,000 or imprisonment of not less than six years, or both upon the discretion of the court.