MANILA, Philippines - The minority in the House of Representatives called on President Aquino yesterday to immediately convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to define his legislative agenda.
House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said he was alarmed that up to now Mr. Aquino has yet to convene the LEDAC.
“That (consultation) is important because the executive and legislative should have an agenda on what proposals should be enacted because the President can initiate the policy orientation but it is Congress that acts as a policy making body,” he said.
Lagman said the LEDAC was created by law so the legislative and executive departments can be in constant consultation.
“There are individual bills being filed but the priorities have not been set,” he said.
Republic Act 7640, which created the LEDAC, stipulates that the council meet at least once every quarter.
There are at least 3,000 bills and resolutions pending in the House.
It appears that convening the LEDAC depends on the “whims and caprice” of Mr. Aquino, according to Deputy Minority Leader Danilo Suarez.