Manila, April 4 -- The decision by several Cabinet officials to skip a Senate hearing on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte was a valid exercise of executive privilege and well within constitutional bounds, a House of Representatives leader said on Friday.

House Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said invoking executive privilege to excuse Cabinet officials from a Senate inquiry from legislative inquiries is a legal and long-standing practice that has been used by past administrations, including Duterte's.

"Well, klarong-klaro po nasa... Konstitusyon ang pag-invoke po ng executive privilege. (It's very clear in the Constitution that invoking executive privilege is allowed)," Acidre said.

"Nirer...