Aquino to convene JELAC after US trip

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday said he will convene the Judicial, Executive, Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELAC) after he returns from his working visit to the United States next week. "(Our) first priority will have to be the JELAC, we have so many as far as the judicial reform agenda is concerned," Aquino said in his speech during the economic leaders’ business conference at Malacañang. Aquino said his delegation will leave on the 20th and will return after a week. "Perhaps a week after that, we will (convene) at least the JELAC," he said. The JELAC was formed in 2008 to serve as a forum and venue for the three branches of government to craft measures which affect the implementation of the law in the country. The JELAC is composed of nine members, including the President; Vice President; Senate President; House Speaker; Supreme Court Chief Justice; a Cabinet member designated by the President; a senator and congressman designated by the chamber's heads; and an SC associate justice designated by the Chief Justice. After the JELAC, Aquino said he also plans to convene the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). "We will convene the LEDAC, we will incorporate the proposals after some study. We will present (it to) both chambers," he said. The LEDAC was created in 1992 to serve as a consultative and advisory body to the President on certain programs and policies essential to the realization of the goals of the national economy. The LEDAC is composed of 20 members, including the President; Vice President; Senate President; House Speaker; seven cabinet members of the designated by the President; three senators designated by the Senate President; three congressmen designated by the House Speaker; a representative of the local government units; a representative from the youth sector; and a representative from the private sector. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMANews.TV