Malacañang on Tuesday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has endorsed 21 priority measures through the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), pushing for their passage by June.
Meanwhile, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez called on fellow Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) members to close ranks and actively push the priority legislative agenda of the President in close partnership with leaders of all political parties in the House of Representatives.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President reaffirmed his legislative priorities during a LEDAC meeting held Tuesday morning, emphasizing bills aimed at improving livelihoods, strengthening governance, and boosting economic activity.
Among the measures that Mr. Marcos wants enacted before the June break are the proposed abolition of the travel tax, expanded legislation against online sexual abuse and exploitation of minors, a bill targeting fake news and digital disinformation, and measures related to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections.
The President also sought updates on the proposed anti-political dynasty law, which he has repeatedly identified as a priority of both his administration and the public.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said during the meeting that the Senate has begun public consultations on the measure, starting in Pasig City, with additional consultations planned across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Speaker Faustino Dy III said the House of Representatives will likewise conduct nationwide consultations on the proposal.
Castro said the Chief Executive underscored the urgency of passing the anti-dynasty bill and reiterated support for other key reforms, including the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, the Independent People’s Commission Act, and the Party-list System Reform Act.
Marcos also highlighted the economic rationale behind the proposed abolition of the travel tax, noting its potential to ease the financial burden on both tourists and Filipinos traveling for work or emergencies.
During the meeting, economic managers discussed the measure’s expected contribution to economic activity, though specific figures on revenue losses or funding adjustments for the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority were not yet presented.
“The details will be discussed once the bill is formally drafted. For now, it is a priority measure,” Castro said.
Addressing concerns over the proposed anti-fake news legislation, Castro said Marcos stressed the need to strike a balance between combating disinformation and protecting freedom of expression.
“The President was clear that freedom of speech and expression must not be compromised,” Castro said, adding that any measure must clearly define fake news and disinformation to avoid abuse.
On the anti-dynasty bill, she said the President will assess which version to support once Congress finalizes its proposals following consultations.
Castro added that the President expressed satisfaction with the progress of the LEDAC priorities and remains optimistic that several of the measures will be passed before June.
Romualdez underscored that the House was firmly under the leadership of Speaker Dy who is steering the chamber in acting on priority measures endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
He stressed that unity, discipline, and cross-party cooperation are essential as the House works to translate the President’s agenda into concrete legislation.
“As legislators, our foremost responsibility is to pass laws that directly improve the lives of our people,” Romualdez said.
“Lakas-CMD is fully committed to supporting the President’s legislative priorities and to working constructively with Speaker Bojie Dy and all party leaders in the House,” he added.
He also highlighted the role of the House Majority Leader, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, noting that strong coordination between House leadership and the majority bloc is critical to ensuring the efficient and orderly passage of priority bills.
Romualdez emphasized that, as representative of Leyte’s first district, he remains focused on substantive lawmaking—measures that promote inclusive growth, protect public welfare, and support long-term national development—while contributing to the collective effort of advancing the administration’s legislative program.
“With limited time and a heavy workload, what matters most is that we stay focused on legislation that delivers real, tangible benefits to Filipinos,” Romualdez said. “This is how we help shape the enduring legacy of this administration.” With Maricel Cruz
