By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has urged Congress to prioritize four proposed legislative measures during a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting held at Malacañang on Tuesday.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Usec. and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced that Marcos called on the House of Representatives and Senate to “take a closer look at the four bills and prioritize the passage as soon as possible.”
“The LEDAC also agreed on the timelines for the passage of the General Appropriations Bill and the submission of the enrolled bill for the President’s signature,” Castro said.
Among the key reforms the Chief Executive emphasized are the anti-political dynasty bill; the bill mandating the creation of an Independent People’s Commission; amendments to the party-list system; and the Citizens’ Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) bill.
The anti-dynasty bill seeks to prohibit individuals related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent national elective official from being allowed to hold or run for a national post or under a party-list.
Under Senate Bill No. 1548 filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, no person related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent local official shall also be allowed to run for office within the same legislative district, province, or city.
A similar measure was also filed at the House by Representatives Perci Cendaña, Chel Diokno, Dadah Ismula, and Kaka Bag-ao.
The Independent People’s Commission (IPC) bill, filed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, is aimed at institutionalizing the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, adding more teeth to the fact-finding body—such as the power to issue subpoenas, cite individuals in contempt, freeze assets, and blacklist erring contractors.
Under House Bill 5699 filed by Rep. Toby Tiangco, the commission tasked to investigate infrastructure anomalies will be called the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC).
Meanwhile, the Party-list Reform bill filed by Sen. Bam Aquino seeks to guarantee that the party-list system truly serves the marginalized and underrepresented sectors and helps curb corruption. A similar measure seeking to amend the party-list system was also filed at the House by the Makabayan bloc.
Another key measure aimed at fighting corruption is the CADENA Act, which seeks to institutionalize transparency and accountability on government spending through the establishment of a digital budget portal.
In a statement, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized the importance of conducting consultations with the concerned sectors and various stakeholders “so the best ideas can be incorporated” in the legislation.
“Broad consultations result in better laws. It is only by canvassing views and opinions from as many sources as possible is the nation guaranteed of a law that reflects their interest,” Recto said. (with report from Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
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