Discayas formally seek witness protection

MANILA, Philippines — Spouses Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya yesterday appeared before Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla for the formal evaluation of their application to be admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) in connection with anomalous flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Wearing a bulletproof vest, Curlee arrived at the Department of Justice (DOJ) building in Manila around 9 a.m., while his wife Sarah followed at about 10:30 a.m.

The meeting lasted a few hours, with the spouses, escorted by their lawyers, leaving separately past noon and declining interviews.

Curlee was later brought back to the Senate building in Pasay City, where he remains detained after being cited in contempt by the Blue Ribbon committee during last Thursday’s hearing.

DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said the Discayas’ applications would undergo further evaluation.

“First of all, we will check if the affidavits are truthful, genuine, authentic, complete. So, if they pass that criteria, then we can now determine the risk that they are facing. Whether or not they are being threatened or intimidated by people that are involved in the case,” he said.

Clavano said Remulla remains firm on his conditions: “They have to be truthful, they have to disclose everything that they know. We cannot afford to be selective in this process, because that will affect their application to be protected witnesses.”

Remulla earlier told reporters he was hesitant to admit the Discayas to the WPP.

“It looks like we are not getting there (obtaining complete and truthful testimonies from the Discayas). So, I told the Senate President that personally, I do not want to give them that (state witness) status, because they are not forthcoming. A state witness should really tell the whole truth, you cannot be selective with your testimony.”

Still, Remulla accommodated the request of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to at least evaluate their applications.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon chairman Panfilo Lacson earlier disclosed that the Discayas, through their nine construction firms, cornered P207.25 billion worth of DPWH projects from 2016 to 2025.

Clavano said the DOJ is also open to other individuals willing to testify.

“We want to ensure the safety of all the witnesses who are willing to come out. And this is actually an offer to all those who want to be protected as witnesses. If they have anything or any information that they can share with the department, this is a call to all those who are involved to come forward with their information so that we can evaluate them,” he said. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab