QUEZON City District Representative Arjo Atayde and Caloocan Representative Dean Asistio are scheduled to appear before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday to provide testimony regarding anomalous flood control projects.
Both representatives have requested that their testimonies be conducted in executive session, according to a media advisory released by the commission.
The requests for closed-door sessions come as the ICI recently finalized guidelines for the livestreaming of its hearings. ICI spokesperson Brian Hosaka had previously announced that all proceedings would be broadcast live, with the exception of instances where executive sessions are deemed necessary.
The commission’s decision to grant or deny Atayde and Asistio’s requests will be closely watched, given the public interest in the flood control projects under scrutiny.
According to the ICI’s guidelines, executive sessions may be granted upon the request of government agencies, offices, units, resource persons, or witnesses.
The commission will evaluate such requests based on their merit, factual and legal bases, and whether they are intended to delay or obstruct the ICI’s mandate. The decision to allow closed-door testimonies suggests that Atayde and Asistio may possess sensitive information or wish to protect certain details from public disclosure.
The hearing is expected to shed light on potential irregularities in the flood control projects, and the testimonies of Atayde and Asistio could prove crucial to the ICI’s investigation.
The public will be keen to learn the reasons behind the representatives’ requests for executive sessions and whether the commission ultimately grants them. The outcome of the hearing could have significant implications for the future of infrastructure projects and accountability within the government.
