Recto: Political groups must participate in crafting priority measures

MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Tuesday said all political groups should be invited to participate in crafting the four proposed legislative measures that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered to be passed immediately.

Recto said that “broad consultations result in better laws,” adding that it is only through gathering collective views and opinions from as many sources as possible that the country can be assured of a law that truly reflects the interests of the people.

READ: Marcos to Congress: Prioritize anti-dynasty bill, 3 other measures

“The presidential request for congressional action on the four bills goes beyond their immediate passage, but for wide consultation with all sectors so the best ideas can be incorporated in this reform legislation,” Recto said in a statement sent to reporters.

“Given the importance and urgency of these bills, the invitation to participate in their crafting should be extended to groups of all political persuasions,” he also said.

Marcos urged the Congress to prioritize the passage of the Anti-Dynasty Bill, Independent People’s Commission Act, Party-list System Reform Act, and the Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability or CADENA Act, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a statement in Malacañang.

“In a LEDAC [Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council] meeting this morning, [the President] also instructed both Houses to take a closer look at the four bills, and prioritize the passage as soon as possible,” she said.

Present during the meeting were Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Faustino Dy III, Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, and other congressional leaders, she added.

“The LEDAC also agreed on the timelines for the passage of the General Appropriations Bill and the submission of the enrolled bill for the President’s signature,” Castro also said. /mr