Villanueva: LEDAC meeting expected in coming weeks after series of vetoes

A Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting was expected in the coming weeks after Congress received a "series of veto messages" from President Ferdinand  "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said Tuesday in an interview with reporters.

"We were told that in the next week or two tatawag na ng LEDAC. Welcome development ito sapagkat madami dami na rin yung na-veto," added Villanueva.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri told senators of the LEDAC meeting after Zubiri "had a long discussion" with Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez and Marcos' core group regarding the rejected bills which were approved during the 18th Congress.

"Not only because of the series of veto messages that we received... primarily siyempre because it is but natural after the State of the Nation Address, with the 19 very important measures that the president is espousing," Villanueva said.

"We don't want a repeat of what happened before," he added, explaining that vetoed measures was time, hard work, consultations, and government resources wasted.

Among the bills Marcos vetoed where the Act Establishing the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport, An Act Establishing the Philippine Transportation Safety Board, and An Act Exempting from Income Taxation the Honoraria, Allowances, and other Financial Benefits of Persons Rendering Service during an Election Period.

Villanueva also disclosed that the Senate leadership was looking into inviting all 24 senators in the first LEDAC meeting to discuss each member's priority measures.

"One of the strong suggestions of the Senate President is for all members of the Senate to join the LEDAC. Tutal 24 lang naman kami. So it is a good idea. We are all supportive about it. 'Yun ang ipaparating ng aming Senate President sa Malacanang," he said.

"I'm sure, if not all of us, most of us would love to have that kind of blessing to be able to talk and express and suggest, have an open line to the President," he added. — DVM, GMA News