Palace mum on Marcos meets with lawmakers

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s scheduled meeting with the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) did not push through on Thursday as lawmakers from both chambers of Congress had separate executive sessions with the Chief Executive instead.

Malacañang was tight-lipped about what transpired during the meetings with senators and congressmen, which took place after Mr. Marcos’ engagement in Silang, Cavite.

“The meetings were held in executive session, so all matters tackled therein are treated confidential,” said Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil in a statement.

READ: Senate, House clash over people’s initiative for Charter change

The meetings happened on Thursday morning after the President got back from Silang, Cavite, where he graced the remembrance ceremony for the 44 Special Action Force troopers killed in 2015.

Senators and congressmen have been trading barbs lately over efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution through a people’s initiative.

Underlying issues

Members of the lower chamber are supportive of a people’s initiative, but senators signed a manifesto warning that political provisions like the lifting of term limits might be included in the proposed Charter change.

Marcos was supposed to sit down with them for a Ledac meeting but the senators said this was postponed.

As chair of the Ledac, the President meets with the Vice President, the Senate President, Speaker and Cabinet secretaries to discuss policies needed to achieve the government’s goals.

The priority legislative measures of the President are also identified during Ledac meetings so that Congress can prioritize its passage into law. INQ

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