Under the MOA, the JELAC would serve as the forum and venue for the representatives of the three branches of the government to undertake measures on matters affecting the primacy of the rule of law.

It is also mandated to identify the problems and issues, formulate solutions, and to implement them.

Puno said on the issues concerning the judiciary, JELAC would formulate solutions on, among others, the judiciary’s budget, infrastructure requirements, creation of new positions and filling of vacancies, career development program, compensation and security of judicial officials, and security of tenure of judicial personnel.

The JELAC would be composed of nine members – the President as Chairperson with the Vice-President, the Senate President, the House Speaker, the Chief Justice as members. The other members are a Cabinet member to be designated by the President, one Senator and one member of the House of Representatives to be designated by their respective leaders, and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court to be designate0d by the Chief Justice.

The members would serve in an ex oficio capacity and are not to receive any additional emoluments and/or allowances.

To sign as witnesses in today’s ceremony are Vice President Noli L. De Castro, Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Pangilinan, House Majority Leader Arthur D. Defensor Sr., Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita, and Supreme Court Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna.

JELAC holds first meeting in Malacanang today

President Arroyo will host today the first Judiciary, Executive, and Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELAC) meeting that will bring together leaders of the three branches of government to discuss priority measures.

Mrs. Arroyo will sign a memorandum of agreement with Senate President Manuel Villar, Speaker Prospero Nograles, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno establishing the JELAC and its meetings.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the JELAC meetings will focus on the rule of law and the ways that the three branches of government cooperate to uphold it.

Bunye said the first JELAC meeting will set the parameters for the conduct of future JELAC meetings.

"The rule of law is a very important principle in our democracy, and not one branch of government is able to uphold it," Bunye said.

"The JELAC will discuss our common complaints like press freedom," he said.

Bunye said the agreement among the leaders of the three branches of government signifies the initial fears against the JELAC.

Critics earlier said the JELAC could compromise the independence of each branch of government from the other branches, as enshrined in the Constitution.

Bunye said the JELAC will not replace the Legislative- Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), and that both forums will help improve governance.

The signing of the agreement is scheduled at Malacañang at 10 a.m. today, and will be followed by the first JELAC meeting.

Other officials who confirmed attendance for the signing are Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, House of Representatives Majority Leader Arthur Defensor, Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna and Vice President Noli De Castro.

The JELAC will have nine members with the President as chairperson, and the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice as ex-officio members.

Also in the JELAC are one Cabinet member designated by the President, one senator, and one House Representative designated by their respective leaders, and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court to be designated by the Chief Justice.