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Closed-door session requested as Atayde, Asistio set to attend ICI hearing

Philippines | National

Closed-door session requested as Atayde, Asistio set to attend ICI hearing

By Joseph Pedrajas

At A Glance

Congressmen Arjo Atayde of Quezon City's 1st district and Dean Asistio of Caloocan City's 3rd district are set to attend the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 25, although both have requested for an executive session.

Congressmen Arjo Atayde of Quezon City's 1st district and Dean Asistio of Caloocan City's 3rd district are set to attend the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 25, although both have requested for an executive session.

ICI has not yet confirmed if it has granted the two lawmakers' requests.

But if it has, it means Atayde and Asistio's respective testimonies might not be known to the public despite the latest ICI guidelines saying that all hearings must be livestreamed.

An executive session may be done upon the request of a resource person, based on the same guidelines. This may be approved if the basis for such request is a matter of national security, threat to the person's life, or interference to the investigation of other government agency.

Atayde and Asistio were both implicated by controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya in the anomalous flood control projects. In a recent Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, the couple alleged that the two House members, along with other personalities, received kicbacks from these projects.

Both Atayde and Asistio were also requested by ICI to be placed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO).

The ICI says their presence in the country is important considering their possible knowledge in the corruption scandal.

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