Discaya Couple Names Lawmakers in Senate Hearing
SARAH AND CURLEE DISCAYA – The contractors revealed the names of several lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials allegedly involved in corruption related to flood control projects across the country. The disclosure was made during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday.
According to the Discayas, they were repeatedly pressured by government officials to give a percentage of the project funds in exchange for the smooth implementation of the projects. They claimed that if they refused to cooperate, officials would create obstacles—such as “mutual termination” of contracts or “right-of-way” issues—that would effectively stop the project.
Curlee Discaya testified that after they won bids, DPWH officials would approach them to demand their share of the project budget. The requested amount reportedly ranged from 10% to as high as 25%, with the understanding that failure to comply would result in delays or even the cancellation of the project.
Among those named were Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde, Quezon City Rep. Marcy Teodoro, USWAG Ilonggo Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang, Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas, AGAP Party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Odie Tarriela, Quezon Rep. Reynante Arrogancia, Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo, Caloocan Rep. Dean Asistio, Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar, and several former congressmen including Benjamin Agarao Jr., Florencio Noel, Teodorico Haresco Jr., and Antonieta Eudela.
Discaya further alleged that a larger share of 30% of the project budget was funneled to House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former House Appropriations Chairman Zaldy Co, adding that these names were repeatedly mentioned by the officials involved. He also claimed that an additional 5% was given to Congressman Roman Romulo for project “insertions.”
The couple expressed their willingness to serve as state witnesses to help expose and dismantle what they described as a deeply rooted system of corruption in government infrastructure projects. They stressed that in the past, they had no choice but to comply out of fear that refusing to do so would completely halt their projects and destroy their business.