Assistant Ombudsman Claims Discayas Allegedly Involved in “All Scheme or Scam” of DPWH
OMBUDSMAN – The office recently spoke on the case of contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya in their supposed desire to become state witnesses.
Recently, it was confirmed by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure that the Discayas stopped cooperating in the ICI’s flood control probe. Their withdrawal allegedly came amid a lack of state witness recommendation as expressed by ICI member Rogelio Singson.
During an interview, Singson claimed that none has yet to qualify to become a state witness in the issue. According to the commission, after it, the Discayas have invoked their right against self-incrimination during the questioning. Their decision to stop from cooperating in the resolution of the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption in the country earned different reactions.
Ombudsman Boying Remulla expressed his belief that the Discayas may allegedly be protecting the Villars. According to him, the contractors are supposedly “selective” with regards to the information that they give. He also previously claimed that they are possibly protecting Senator Bong Go, too.
Sen. Bong Go previously broke his silence on the speculation that linked him to the Discayas. He stressed that they do not know the contractors and he is willing to be the complainant even if the accused is his family if someone in his family did something wrong. According to him, he is for accountability.
Recently, the Ombudsman spoke on contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya’s supposed desire to become state witnesses. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said that it is impossible for the contractors to be admitted as state witnesses in the flood control issue.
According to Clavano, the Discayas had participated in thousands of bids and they are allegedly part of any “scheme or scam” of the DPWH. He also stressed that their uncooperative behavior supposedly made them lose their chance to become state witnesses.
“Alam naman po natin na higit 4000 ang sinalihan nilang bids around the country and kahit anong scheme or scam na nakita natin sa DPWH, kasama sila so it’s impossible that they can be considered state witnesses for all those crimes,” the Assistant Ombudsman said.
Based on the report, Clavano stressed that they are ready to move forward with the case against the Discayas. According to him, we will see if the contractors will still not cooperate if the they are already in jail.
“The wheels of justice will turn on the Discaya if they refuse to cooperate. Tignan na lang po natin kung di pa rin sila magkocooperate kung nakakulong na sila. We’ll see kasi lahat po talaga ng kabalastugan ng DPWH pinasukan na talaga ng Discaya so I don’t think they’re in any position to bargain with the government especially with their status as state witness,” he said.
Amid the issue, the Bureau of Customs is set to hold an auction of the 13 luxury cars the Discayas and expects to gather up to P200 million.