Arjo on photo with Discayas: ‘Just a quick hi-hello’

MANILA, Philippines — Actor-politician Arjo Atayde clarified that it was a “quick hi-hello” with the controversial contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya when he met them in 2022. The representative of the first district of Quezon City confirmed to Philstar.com that the couple visited his office in 2022.

“Totoo na pumunta sa opisina namin ang mga Discaya. This was around 2022, and we met with them just like any visitor to our district office,” Arjo explained.

Photos of Arjo with the Discaya couple circulated immediately after he was implicated in their list of lawmakers who allegedly got kickbacks from their projects with the government.

The Discayas on Monday submitted a joint sworn affidavit naming 18 lawmakers and nine government officials during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the controversial flood control projects.

“It was a quick ‘hi, hello’ and picture-taking since it wasn’t a planned meeting. It was the first and last time I met with them,” he said. “We never talked anything about any project. And I’ve never dealt with them.”

He had earlier denied the allegations, adding that he is seeking legal counsel to clear his name. His wife, TV host-actress Maine Mendoza, came to his defense.

“Teka lang muna, those are baseless allegations. Please refrain from throwing hate and personal attacks at him, including me and our family until facts come out. I am with my husband in this. Wala siyang ginagawang masama sa loob,” Maine wrote on X.

Maine said that Arjo has been doing his best to serve his constituents in Quezon City.
“I sincerely hope and pray that the people who are TRULY responsible will be held accountable and that innocent individuals be spared from this mess. Napaka-unfair,” Maine ended her post.

Meanwhile, AlDub, the screen pairing of Alden Richards and Maine, resurfaced anew with memes after Atayde was implicated by the Discayas. The AlDub love team featured Maine and fellow “Eat Bulaga!” host Alden in the variety show’s “Kalyeserye” segment, which dominated television screens and beyond.

So impactful was the AlDub pairing that several fans believed Maine and Alden were truly an item and started a family, even after Maine married Arjo in 2023. The same fans came alive following news of Arjo’s alleged involvement in flood control kickbacks, calling it proof that Maine is better off with Alden. — Philstar.com (FREEMAN)