Which House lawmakers denied ties to kickback scheme in gov't projects?
MANILA, Philippines — Businessman Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya — whose family is linked to nine construction firms that have bagged hundreds of flood control contracts since 2022 — accused more than 17 past and current lawmakers on Monday, September 8, of engaging in alleged kickback schemes on infrastructure projects.
Apart from the 17 legislators, Discaya also named House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol Party-list) during the third public hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's probe into flood control anomalies.
Discaya said lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) employees who allegedly sought and collected kickbacks from his family would float Romualdez and Co's names, saying the funds are meant to support the two legislators.
More than half of the lawmakers named in the Discaya couple's supposed tell-all on Monday have already denied the allegations.
Here’s a list of those tagged, whether they responded, and what they said.
Rep. Martin Romualdez (Leyte, 1st District)
"The claim in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping. Let me be clear: Wala akong kinalaman, wala akong pahintulot, at wala akong basbas sa mga ganyang gawain. ...
And I say this with all honesty: I have never, and I will never, accept a bribe from anybody. Walang sinuman ang kayang manuhol sa akin. Alam iyan ng lahat ng House Members. I am self-made, and I have been blessed with the trust of the Filipino people. I do not need—and will never allow myself—to be corrupted by money that does not belong to me," he said in a statement on September 8.
Read his full statement here.
Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol Party-list)
"I vehemently deny all the baseless and irresponsible accusations made against me during the Senate hearing held today. These unsubstantiated claims, which attempt to implicate me are not only hearsay but are also politically motivated designed to mislead the public and deflect accountability," he said in a statement on September 8.
Read his full statement here.
Rep. Roman Romulo (Pasig City, Lone District)
"I strongly deny these malicious and fabricated allegations linking me to anomalous bidding. I was never involved in any bidding nor in selecting contractors for DPWH projects.
In this regard, it is quite clear that these accusations are nothing more than an attempt to diver attention, shift blame, and evade accountability for matters properly wihtin their responsibility. ... I challenge my accusers to present clear and solid evidence," he said in a statement on September 8.
Rep. James "Jojo" Ang Jr. (Uswang Ilonggo) - NO RESPONSE
Ang has yet to issue a statement.
He was also accused by Batangas First District Engineer Abelardo Calalo of directing him to collect “donations” from contractors for Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District).
Rep. Patrick Michael "PM" Vargas (Quezon City, 5th District)
"100% NOT TRUE. Ano kaya ang motibo nila?
Walang project ang mga Discaya sa district natin kailanman. Zero. This is confirmed and certified.
I will file a case against them for this blatant lie. My track record speaks for itself," he said in a Facebook post on September 8.
Rep. Arjo Atayde (Quezon City, 1st District)
"I categorically deny the allegation that I benefited from any contractor. I have never dealt with them. Hindi po totoo ang mga akusasyon na ito. I have never used my position for personal gain, and I never will.
I will avail of all remedies under the law to clear my name and hold accountable those who spread these falsehoods," he said in a statement on September 8.
Rep. Nicanor Briones (AGAP Partylist) - NO RESPONSE
Briones has yet to issue a statement.
The lawmaker previously made headlines when he was photographed watching a cockfight video on his phone during the plenary session at the most recent State of the Nation Address.
Rep. Marcy Teodoro (Marikina City, 1st District)
"Walang katotohanan ang mga paratang ng mga Discaya. Isa lang itong demolition job- - -a cheap shot para siraan ako.
Hindi ako ang congressman noong na-award ang kontrata sa kanila. Panahon pa iyon ng yumaong Bayani Fernando.
In fact, ang mga DPWH projects na napunta sa mga Discaya ay bago pa ako maupo bilang congressman- - -around 2020 or 2021, hindi 2022 pataas.
Wala akong kinalaman doon, dahil hindi pa ako congressman noon," he said in a statement on September 8.
He said he is considering the filing of perjury charges, given that Discaya made such claims while under oath at the Senate hearing. Read Teodoro's full statement here.
Former Rep. Florida Robes (San Jose del Monte, Lone District)
“Kung sino man gumagamit ng pangalan ko, mangilabot naman kayo!
Kitang-kita naman ng marami kung gaano na kaganda ang San Jose del Monte ngayon. Walang ghost project dito at pang-world class ang aming mga infrastructure,” she said in a statement on September 8.
Robes is currently San Jose del Monte City's mayor. She also expressed intentions of filing a libel case against Discaya.
Rep. Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona (Romblon, Lone District)
"I strongly deny the statement of Discaya.
To my recollection, wala akong project sa kanya, so anong basehan ng sinabi niyang pag bigay niya sa akin?
I heard he bidded on projects sa aming budget sa Romblon pero i have no hand and knowledge on how he pays those involved!" he said in a statement on September 8.
Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr. (Laguna, 4th District)
"I categorically deny the allegations of The Spouses Discaya that I asked money from them in exchange for projects in my district in Laguna. HINDI PO YAN TOTOO. WALA PO SILANG PROYEKTO SA AKING DISTRITO.
I am consulting my lawyers. I will sue them for libel and perjury. Hindi ko hahayaan na sirain nila ng ganun lang ang pangalan at reputasyon ko na iningatan ko ng mahabang panahon," he said in a statement on September 8.
Former Rep. Florencio Noel (An Waray Partylist) - NO RESPONSE
He or his party-list has yet to issue a statement.
Rep. Leody Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro, Lone District)
"Wala po akong tinatanggap na anumang pera o pabor mula kay Mr. Discaya.
Ang pagpapatupad ng mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura ng pamahalaan ay tungkulin lamang ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Hindi natin alam at wala tayong kinalaman sa anumang proseso nito. ...
Ang pagtukoy at pagpapapondo ng malalaking national government projects tulad ng flood control ay trabaho ng DPWH Regional o National Office, at hindi ng congressman," he said in a statement.
Rep. Reynante Uy Arrogancia (Quezon, 3rd District)
Mariin ko pong itinatanggi at pinabubulaanan ang mga alegasyon na ipinupukol laban sa akin ng mga Discaya sa kanilang affidavit noong ika-6 ng Setyembre 2025 at pahayag nila ngayong umaga, ika-8 ng Setyembre 2025, sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Samantala, nakikipag-ugnayan na ang aking tanggapan sa aking mga abugado upang linisin ang aking pangalan laban sa walang batayang akusasyon sa akin," he said in a statement on September 8.
Rep. Marvin Rillo (Quezon City, 4th District) - NO RESPONSE
He has yet to issue a statement.
Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. (Aklan, 2nd District) - NO RESPONSE
He has yet to issue a statement.
Rep. Antonieta Eudela (Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District) - NO RESPONSE
She has yet to issue a statement.
Rep. Dean Asistio (Caloocan City, 3rd District)
"Mariin nating itinatanggi ang alegasyon na tayo po ay tumanggap ng anumang halaga ng pera mula sa mag-asawang Discaya. Walang ghost projects sa distritong aking nasasakupan.
Ayon sa datos ng DPWH, nagkaroon ng proyekto ang mga Discaya na siyang makikita sa distritong aking pinaglilingkuran. Sa execution ng mga proyekto, bukod tanging DPWH lamang ang nangangasiwa pagdating sa assessment at awarding ng proyekto sa mga kontratista na naaayon sa public bidding process.
Sinisigurado ko na pananagutin ko ang mag-asawang Discaya sa kanilang mapanira at malisyosong mga paratang. Mr. at Mrs. Discaya, magkikita tayo sa Korte!" he said in a statement on September 8.
Rep. Marivic Garcia Co-Pilar (Quezon City, 6th District)
"These are outright lies and baseless accusations. This fabrication has no basis in fact and no place in public discourse. ... Una, hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang aking mararamdaman.
Kasi ni Anino, ni Sarah o ni Curlee Discaya, di ko nakita. I have never spoken to them nor have I ever authorized or allowed any representative to deal with them.
Mukhang may political agenda ang pagdawid sa aking pangalan.Tama ba ang listahan ni Discaya? I see this without hesitation. I will hold them accountable. My office will launch an exhaustive investigation regarding this matter," she said during the privilege hour on September 8.
Co-Pilar said she would file a libel case against the Discayas and expressed her full support for all investigations into flood control projects. Watch her full privilege speech here.
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What's next? Both chambers of Congress are currently investigating the flood control anomalies tied to alleged corruption involving government officials in the DPWH and the legislative branch. The executive also plans on forming an independent commission to probe the failed and abandoned projects.
RELATED: Romualdez, House lawmakers refute Discaya kickback claims in DPWH contracts
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