ICI sessions go live on FB, YouTube next week

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) finally released its livestreaming guidelines yesterday, allowing the public to watch its hearings two months after the investigation into anomalous flood control projects began.

- EJ MACABABBAD

While livestreaming is the general rule, the ICI can enter into an executive session upon the request of an investigating body, resource person or witness.

The only agencies that can request a closed-door session are the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation.

“The ICI may grant such a request if it determines that the same is meritorious with sufficient factual and legal bases and not intended to delay or frustrate the mandate of the ICI,” the commission stated in its 11-page guidelines.

The fact-finding body has anchored its grounds for holding an executive session on Section 3, Rule IV of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or Republic Act 6713.