New body for leaders of 3 govt branches created

MANILA, Philippines - A body composed of the leaders of the three independent, co-equal branches of government would soon be created, Malacañang announced on Monday. The announcement was made by Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye who said that a memorandum of agreement would be signed Tuesday to formalize the creation of the body which will be called the Judiciary, Executive and Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council or Jelacc. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Manuel B. Villar, House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles, and Chief Justice Reynaldo S. Puno would be signing the MOA in Malacañang. The MOA would be effective “immediately upon its signing," Bunye said. Bunye described Jelacc as a forum or a venue where the representatives of the three branches of government could discuss and draft measures “on matters affecting the primacy of the rule of law". He said Jelac would also be play a role in identifying possible problems and issues “relating to the rule of law" including the formulating of solutions, and its eventual implementation. Under the MOA, Jelacc would be composed of nine members with the President as the chairperson and the Vice-President, the Senate President, the House Speaker, the Chief Justice as members. The other four members shall be a Cabinet member to be designated by the President, a Senator to be designated by the Senate President, and member of the House to be designated by Speaker, and an Associate Justice to be named by the Chief Justice. The MOA specifies that the Jelacc members shall serve in an ex oficio capacity and would not be receive any additional allowances or stipends. Bunye said also expected to attend the and witness the signing are Vice President Noli L. De Castro, Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Pangilinan, House Majority Leader Arthur D. Defensor, Sr., Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita, and Supreme Court Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna. - GMANews.TV