Palace to press Congress on urgent bills

President Arroyo will convene on Tuesday the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to hasten the passage of vital legislation, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said the enactment of these bills would be "the most meaningful and timely Christmas gift our legislators could give our people."

Mrs. Arroyo came back last night from Hong Kong, the last leg of her eight-day visit in China, where she had meetings with businessmen and the ASEAN-China commemorative summit to celebrate the 15th year of the ASEAN-China Dialogue.

Claudio said the LEDAC would be held immediately after the resumption of congressional sessions.

He said Congress leaders were expected to attend as part of their duties and responsibilities.

"LEDAC is being called to strengthen the consensus on the passage of vital measures certified as urgent by the President, particularly those in advanced stages of legislation," Claudio said. "On top of the list is the anti-terror bill which was approved by the House in April of this year but still in the period of amendments in the Senate."

According to Claudio, LEDAC will focus on the hastening of the approval of priority measures already passed by both chambers but pending in bicameral conference such as the bills on the use of biofuels, automated elections systems, compensation of martial law human rights victims and the fixed terms for Armed Forces of the Philippines’ chief of staff and service commanders.

Also on the priority list are the eco-zone incentives bill, the 2007 budget and the tax relief for low-income earners, which have already passed the House and the billboards regulation bill.