Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's legal team has completed its review of the recommendations of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) on the hostage crisis, during which eight Hong Kong tourists were killed in August, a senior government official said Tuesday.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., member of the legal team that re-study the IIRC recommendations, said, however, that they have to discuss it yet with Aquino, who was just back to Manila early Tuesday morning from a weeklong visit to the United States.

"As far as we are concerned, we've done but we have yet to present the report to the President and (it is )depending on the reaction of the President. We will have a discussion," Ochoa told reporters in an interview at the Ninoy International Airport terminal 2 while waiting for the arrival of the Chief Executive from the United States.

Ochoa and Eduardo de Mesa, chief presidential legal counsel, had been tasked by the President before he left last week for a weeklong working visit to the United States. to study the IIRC recommendations, which identified government officials and private individuals who could face sanctions in connection with the Aug. 23 hostage-taking incident.

On Aug. 23, dismissed Philippine police officer, Rolando Mendoza, hijacked a bus in Manila carrying 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipinos. Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed after an 11-hour standoff.

The Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) report on the Aug. 23 hostage crisis was officially submitted to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Sept. 17.