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MANILA, Philippines 鈥� As Congress resumes its sessions on Monday, the House of Representatives said that it is 鈥渁lmost done鈥� passing all priority bills under the administration of President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� R. Marcos Jr., Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Sunday.
鈥淲e are almost done with the priority bills agreed upon by Congress and the executive branch. We have approved on final reading all but four of the 57 measures in the Ledac (the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) list,鈥� Romualdez said in a statement.听
Of the four remaining measures, House Bill No. 9713, or 鈥淎n Act institutionalizing a Philippine self-reliant defense posture program and promoting the development of a national defense industry pursuant thereto,鈥� is set to be passed on the third and final reading.听
鈥淐redible defense program鈥�
Romualdez pointed out that the measure鈥檚 approval would help the country form a credible defense program and industry, making it independent from foreign allies and suppliers for its defense requirements.
On the other hand, the remaining three Ledac measures are 鈥渢he Electric Power Industry Reform Act, which is under technical working group finalization; and Budget Modernization Bill, and National Defense Act, which are under committee consideration.鈥�
Ledac bills
Romualdez said President听Marcos has already signed 11 Ledac bills including 鈥渢he SIM Registration Act, postponement of Barangay/Sangguniang Kabataan elections, strengthening professionalism in the AFP, New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act, Maharlika Investment Fund Act, regional specialty hospitals, national employment recovery strategy/Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, LGU Income Classification Act, Internet Transaction Act/E-Commerce Law, amendments to the BOT Law/PPP Bill, and Ease of Paying Taxes Act.鈥�
He added that four other Ledac bills 鈥� the New Passport Act, revitalizing the salt industry bill, Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, and Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act, have been ratified by the lower and upper chambers, while two measures amending the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act, will undergo the bicameral conference process.听
Romualdez said 36 Ledac bills have already been approved on the third and final reading.
Among these measures are the bill听 on the Virology Institute of the Philippines, Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act, National Disease Prevention Management Authority, and Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team Act.