The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) reportedly gave Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde the option to conduct his Nov. 25 hearing in executive session. This led to closed-door proceedings, despite earlier expectations of a livestream.
Under the commission’s new guidelines, hearings are livestreamed unless the resource person requests otherwise.
Atayde and Caloocan 3rd District Rep. Dean Asistio were the first to testify under these rules in connection with the anomalous flood control projects.
Atayde and Asistio’s testimonies were expected to be delivered in public; but the ICI, which had always maintained its commitment to transparency, said in an advisory Monday that the two requested for executive sessions, which it granted.
“They asked me po [if I wanted it to become an executive session]. Before the guidelines of the livestreaming came out, they asked me po because, as I said I volunteer two weeks ago,” Atayde said Tuesday, Nov. 25, when asked by reporters why he chose an executive session.
“And they asked either livestreaming [or executive session]. With respect to commission, they asked naman po,” he added.
For his part, Asistio did not say if he was offered the same option. However, he said he chose an executive session not because of fear but to “protect sensitive information that might come out at a wrong time”.
Asked if there are other individuals who might also be involved in the controversy, he only said: “Siguro po.” (Joseph Pedrajas)
