Lawmakers urge resolution of Palace-Senate rift

Administration lawmakers on Friday urged the Senate and the Palace to settle their rift soonest as they push to convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to provide a venue to resolve the gridlock. In a statement, Rep. Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City and Rep. Rodito Albano lll of Isabela, said they understand that both the Palace and the Senate have positions and turf to defend, but the two must respect each other and allow reason and statesmanship to prevail. Puentevella and Albano also dismissed 'one-woman-rule' fears raised by some senators because of Executive Order 464, which bars top government officials from attending congressional hearings without the president's permission. They pointed out the Palace has been calling for cooperation but some senators instead continue to use legislative processes as opportunity to smear the administration. "We reiterate our call to use the LEDAC as a venue to find solution to a looming Palace-Senate conflict," Puentevella said. Puentevella said the Palace should bring back the regular LEDAC meetings to thresh out differences so that the rift could not hostage legislative agenda. "We are optimistic the Senate-Palace rift can be resolved peacefully if both sides are willing to dialogue. They should allow reason, not pride, to prevail. The nation will gain nothing from this rift," Albano said. He also said Congress needs to pass the budget measure and confirm the appointments of new Cabinet members so they can soon lead their departments or agencies in implementing the government's agenda.-GMANEWS.TV