With the 19th Congress entering its final two weeks, House Speaker Martin Romualdez boasted on Thursday, May 29 about the lower chamber's near 100 percent completion of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC)-list priority measures for the past year.
Out of 28 LEDAC measures, the Speaker Romualdez-led House approved on third and final reading 27 of them.
These LEDAC measures--also known as bills under the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA)-- are targeted for passage before the end of the third regular session or final year of the 19th Congress, which will adjourn sine die on June 13.
“As of today (Thursday), we have acted on 27 out of the 28 LEDAC priority bills—a near-100% accomplishment rate,” Romualdez reported to President Marcos during the 8th LEDAC meeting in Malacañang.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, members of the Cabinet, and key leaders of the House led by House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe attended the LEDAC meeting.
“This milestone reflects the House’s unwavering commitment to President Marcos’ call for legislative action that makes a difference in the lives of ordinary Filipinos. These are not just bills—they are real solutions to real problems,” said Romualdez, arguably Marcos' top ally in the legislature.
A status report showed that the 12 bills President Marcos has signed into law from 27 LEDAC measures are the New Government Procurement Reform Act, Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, VAT on Digital Transactions, Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act, Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, Philippine Maritime Zones Act, Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, CREATE More, Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act, and amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act.
The bill containing proposed amendments to EPIRA lapsed into law last April 18, while the proposed Capital Markets Promotion Act was sent to the Office of the President last April 29.
The following are under Bicameral Conference Committee deliberation: Blue Economy Act, amendments to the Universal Health Care Act, Open Access in Data Transmission Act, E-Governance Act, Rationalization of Mining Fiscal Regime, and Foreign Investors’ Long Term Lease amendments.
Approved on third and final reading by the House and transmitted to the Senate were National Water Resources Act, amendments to the Right-of-Way Act, National Citizens Service Training Program Act, Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension System Act, Water Treatment Technology Act, Single-use Plastic Bags Tax Act, Revised Government Auditing Act, and Immigration Modernization Act.
From 28 LEDAC bills, only the proposed amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law remain pending approval in the House of Representatives.
The 19th Congress represents the first three years of the Marcos administration; during these three years, there had been a total of 64 LEDAC measures. The House of Representatives has approved 61 LEDAC bills.
The remaining three are National Defense Act, Budget Modernization bill, and amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law.
The House and Senate will resume its sessions on Monday, June 2 following the lengthy break for the 2025 mid-term elections.
Looking ahead to the 20th Congress, Romualdez assured President Marcos that the House of Representatives remains committed to passing legislation that would make daily life better for Filipinos.
“Mr. President, since the beginning, the House of Representatives has remained steadfast in its efforts towards the passage of the identified LEDAC CLA priority measures. As Congress resumes session on June 2, rest assured of our unwavering commitment to enacting key legislation that will bring tangible improvements in the lives of the Filipino people,” Romualdez said.