Manila: The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has the legal basis to grant the resource persons' requests for closed-door sessions, Malaca±ang said on Wednesday. 'Mas alam nila kung ano ang nagaganap sa hearing nila (They know better what is happening in their hearing),' Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters when asked if holding executive sessions undermines transparency, as the ICI livestreams all its proceedings.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro made the statement after the ICI on Tuesday granted the request of Quezon City 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos 'Arjo' Atayde and Caloocan City 3rd District Rep. Dean Asistio for an executive session due to 'sensitive and private information which may be divulged during their testimonies.' She asserted that the ICI, as an independent fact-finding body, knows what to do and has sufficient legal grounds to grant the resource persons' requests.

'Ayon naman sa kanila, may mga legal na basis kung bakit nila ina-allow ang executive session (According to them, there are legal bases for allowing an executive session),' Castro said. She also emphasized that the Palace would not interfere in the ICI's affairs.

'Mahirap pong pangunahan ang mga alituntunin, ang polisiya ng (It is difficult to preempt the rules and policies of the) ICI. This is created, established by the President, but that's the reason why it's called independent commission,' she explained. 'Sila po ang magsasagawa ng kanilang mga procedure. At malalaman naman po ng ICI iyan kung ano ang hiling ng tao (They are the ones who will carry out their own procedures. The ICI will also know what the people are requesting).'

The ICI is currently investigating a multi-billion-peso flood control scandal allegedly involving several government officials.