Curlee Discaya held in contempt for lying about Sarah’s health
MANILA, Philippines — Contractor Curlee Discaya was seemingly caught in a lie on the very first question he was asked in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday, September 18, saying that his wife Sarah Discaya was absent due to being ill.
“Hindi po siya makakarating dahil sa valid reason po,” Curlee said. (She could not come because of a valid reason.)
Pressed for what the valid reason was, Curlee seemed uncertain, saying that Sarah had a “heart condition.” He said that Sarah sent an excuse letter to the committee but admitted he had not read it.
An actual letter from Sarah stated that she was not sick at all.
“Regrettably, I have an important meeting with my employees on the day of the hearing to explain the problem that the company is facing now and the effects this has on them. This meeting was already scheduled before I received the Honorable Committee's invitation this late afternoon and some of my employees will be coming from various places, thus, I can no longer cancel the meeting set for tomorrow,” Sarah said in her letter.
Senators fumed at Curlee for seemingly lying about his wife’s absence.
“With that letter, Mr. Discaya is lying that his wife is sick,” Sen. Kiko Pangilinan said.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo also fumed, saying that Curlee disrespected the committee. “‘Di ba kayo nag-usap? (Didn’t you talk?)”
Senators contemplated holding Curlee in contempt, but had him explain first why they should not do that.
Curlee apologized, saying that Sarah had a history of diabetes and hypertension.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros was quick to point out that the illnesses he was mentioning were starting to change.
“Lalo siya nalulubog sa baha ng mga mali-maling sagot niya,” Hontiveros said. (He is sinking in his wrong answers.)
Lacson issued Sarah a show cause order.
Curlee and Sarah are tied to the top-earning government contractors in flood control projects. Several ghost flood control projects have been traced back to their firms.
The two of them have implicated several House lawmakers in kickback schemes, but refused to name any senators.
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