Dili, April 9 (AseanAll)  — Timor-Leste President of the Republic J. Ramos-Horta received the Vice-President of Commission D of the National Parliament, Manuel Henrique Noronha, and his delegation at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace on April 9, 2026. 

The meeting focused on the proposed third amendment to Law No. 2/2017 regarding the Organization and Functioning of the Parliamentary Administration. This audience is part of a broader consultation process by the Commission to gather input from current and former state leaders on legislative reforms affecting national oversight bodies.

A central topic of the discussion was the future of the Petroleum Fund’s Consultative Council, which has remained inactive in recent years. While the Commission is weighing options to either abolish or reform the body, President Ramos-Horta advocated for maintaining the Council through a strategic shift in its composition. The President suggested that the Council should be revitalized by recruiting highly qualified technical experts with extensive experience. These specialists would coordinate with former state office-holders to provide robust, non-political support and ensure the effective management of the nation’s petroleum wealth.

Vice-President Noronha noted that the President’s views align with the need for a more functional and expert-driven oversight mechanism. The President emphasized that while the final legislative decision rests with the National Parliament, any reform must ensure the Council is shielded from political interference. 

This meeting follows consultations with former leaders Mari Alkatiri and Taur Matan Ruak, with Commission D scheduled to continue its dialogue with the current Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and former President Francisco Guterres Lú-Olo to reach a national consensus on the matter.