Discaya: I have no direct transaction with Romualdez, Co in project kickbacks
MANILA, Philippines — After accusing over 17 House lawmakers of corruption in flood control projects, construction magnate Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya did not shy away from appearing at the House flood control hearing on Tuesday, September 9.
What seemed like throwing himself to the lion's den, Discaya had one thing to clarify to the lower chamber: he had no direct transactions with House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol Party-list).
"Gusto ko lang pong linawin sa kanila na wala po akong direktang transaction. Hindi po ako nagkaroon ng anumang klaseng transaction sa kanila," Discaya said in his opening speech, slightly backtracking from his statements at the counterpart probe in the Senate.
(I just want to make it clear that I have no direct transaction. I never had any form of transaction with them.)
He explained that the names of Romualdez and Co may have been abused by the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) officials he had engaged with in providing the alleged kickbacks to lawmakers.
"Baka po nagagamit lang po ng mga pulitiko ang inyong pangalan," Discaya said. (Your names might have been used by politicians.)
According to him, there were several instances where public officials approached him to collect lawmakers' cuts from government contracts his firms handled. They allegedly threatened him to shell out a portion of a project's funds by claiming it was to support Romualdez, Co or any other legislator, Discaya said.
“Ito ang mga naririnig ko lang na mga salita mula sa mga politiko na namumuwersa at namimilit na minamadali na po ang obligasyon dahil dadalhin sa inyo. Pero transaction sa kanila wala po,” he explained.
(This is what I would hear from the words of politicians who forced and rushed the obligations because it would be brought to you [lawmakers]. But transactions with them, there's none.)
“Kaya sa akin mas mabuti na iparating ko kay Speaker at Zaldy Co na wala po akong direct transaction sa inyo,” he added.
(That's why, for me, it's more important to relay to Speaker and Zaldy Co that I have no direct transaction with them.)
Discaya stood by the sworn statement he submitted to the Senate.
Most of the past and present lawmakers whom the Discayas tagged in the kickback scheme have categorically denied the allegations, challenging the family to present proof of their involvement in government contracts.
Romualdez and Co have both rejected the claims as well, calling them outright baseless. The House speaker himself said he has never accepted a bribe and that no one is capable of bribing him.
The House Infra Committee, however, adopted a motion to invite Co to the legislative inquiry to address concerns surrounding the budget insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act. Co was the appropriations chair in the 19th Congress.
Former Sen. Grace Poe and DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo will also be invited to the next hearing. Bernardo was former Manila Mayor Erap Estrada's city engineer.
The joint committee held its second hearing on the anomalous flood control projects, interrogating top flood control contractors and DPWH officials, particularly in Bulacan's First District.
The hearing also uncovered more allegations of corruption tied to public officials in the flood control project, but this time, senators were named.
One of the dismissed DPWH engineers claimed Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Joel Villanueva made budget insertions with a 30% cut, presenting photos linking his previous chief to the senators. Both senators, however, have denied the allegations against them, threatening charges.
RELATED: DPWH engineer claims Estrada, Villanueva accepted 30% cut in flood control contracts | Piles of cash, chat logs link Estrada, Villanueva in House flood control probe
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