Latest news with #LEDAC
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Pimentel questions schedule change in reading of impeachment raps vs. VP Sara
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said on Friday that he would ask Senate President Francis Escudero about his decision to move the presentation of articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. 'We have to ask SP his thought processes and how come he is now changing his own 'impeachment calendar' issued months ago,' he said. The presentation of the articles of impeachment has been moved from June 2 to June 11. In a letter to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Escudero said the Senate and the House of Representatives needed to prioritize the passage of the items in the administration's legislative agenda before the 19th Congress adjourned sine die on June 14. Pimentel said that the legislative agenda of the Congress should give way to the impeachment proceedings. 'Meron kasi section or provision in our impeachment rules that gives the directive, that should there be both legislative and impeachment matters, the legislative agenda should give way to the impeachment proceedings,' he added. Escudero was referring to the meeting on Thursday of the Legislative-Executive Development Council (LEDAC), which resolved to pass measures listed in the legislative agenda within the 19th Congress. Among the priority measures are the Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act, Konektadong Pinoy Act, E-Governance Act, creation of the Virology Institute of the Philippines, Anti-POGO Act, among others. The Senate President also said there were over 200 presidential appointees whose appointments have to be reviewed and confirmed by the bicameral Commission on Appointments. Meanwhile, other Senators said the upper chamber must prioritize the approval of several priority measures. 'The passage of the priority bills should take precedence as asserted by Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero as sine die adjournment marks the official end of our regular session,' said Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, noting that this was agreed upon during the LEDAC meeting. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, noted that the Senate only has six session days, adding that committees will have to conduct bicameral and consultative meetings and even hearings to finalize the 12 priority measures. 'Having said that, I do agree to devote the next two weeks to finish the remaining bills and other legislative priorities before converting itself into an impeachment court,' he said. Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos, who is with Duterte in the Netherlands, also agreed that the Senate must focus its attention on the passage of the said measures. 'Dapat naman talaga unahin ang mga priority measures na ito dahil ito ang makakatulong sa bayan at hindi yung impeachment na pamumulitika lang,' she said. (These priority measures should really be prioritized because they will help the people and not impeachment, which is just politicking.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Romualdez: Almost half of LEDAC priority measures enacted into law
Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez said Thursday that 12 out of the 27 priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) have been enacted into law. Romualdez made the announcement during the eighth LEDAC meeting under the Marcos administration held in Malacañang on Thursday morning. Signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr were: New Government Procurement Reform Act Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act Imposing Value Added Tax on Digital Transactions Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act, Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act Philippine Maritime Zones Act Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act CREATE More Act Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act, and amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act. The bill containing proposed amendments to Electric Power Industry Reform Act, on the other hand, lapsed into law last April 18. The proposed Capital Markets Promotion Act is already approved by the House and the Senate and was sent to the Office of the President last April 29. 'This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to President Marcos' call for legislative action that makes a difference in the lives of ordinary Filipinos. These are not just bills—they are real solutions to real problems,' Romualdez said. Also approved on third and final reading by the House and transmitted to the Senate were National Water Resources Act, amendments to the Right-of-Way Act, National Citizens Service Training Program Act, Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension System Act, Water Treatment Technology Act, Single-use Plastic Bags Tax Act, Revised Government Auditing Act, and Immigration Modernization Act. Still, Romualdez said the work is far from over since the following measures are still being deliberated in the bicameral conference committee: Blue Economy Act Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act Open Access in Data Transmission Act E-Governance Act Rationalization of Mining Fiscal Regime and Foreign Investors' Long Term lease amendments. Romualdez then assured President Marcos that the House of Representatives remains committed to passing legislation that would make daily life better for Filipinos. 'As Congress resumes session on June 2, [you can be] rest assured of our unwavering commitment to enacting key legislation that will bring tangible improvements in the lives of the Filipino people,' he said. Also present during the LEDAC meeting were Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, members of the Cabinet, and House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep Manuel Jose 'Mannix' Dalipe, among others.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
