Calatrava: I did not take “kickbacks”

CEBU, Philippines — Former undersecretary Terence Calatrava of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) has denied allegations that he received “kickbacks” from government flood control projects supposedly undertaken by firms owned by the Discaya family, branding the claims as “false and malicious.”

In a statement, Calatrava clarified that he had never met or dealt with the Discayas, stressing that he only assumed office as undersecretary of OPAV in December 2022.

“I do not personally know the Discayas, nor have I had any dealings or engagements with them,” he said.

Calatrava also underscored that OPAV functions strictly as a coordinating agency and has “no budgetary authority, no capacity to release funds, and no role in funding, implementing, or interfering in the bidding of infrastructure projects.”

He further maintained that his record remained untainted by any controversy during his tenure in government service.

“Throughout my term, I was never involved in any anomalies or controversies that would compromise my integrity or affect my service,” he said.

Calatrava added that it is incomprehensible why individuals with whom he had no personal or professional ties would drag his name into the issue.

“It is evident that the Discayas are being used to advance a scripted narrative designed to malign and destroy the reputations of certain political opponents,” Calatrava further said.

Calatrava was among those named in a sworn statement by couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, which was read before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday. The affidavit detailed years of kickbacks and political pressure they allegedly endured to secure public works contracts.

The Discayas also tagged 19 members of the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, as having received bribes related to flood control projects. Romualdez denied any involvement and vowed to file charges in retaliation.

The couple claimed that some transactions involving Calatrava took place at his condominium unit in Makati, with associates allegedly collecting money on his behalf.

“Kay Terrence Calatrava po nag-usap po nito sa kaniyang condo sa Makati. Tapos ang inuutusan na lang po niya na kumuha ay si Diane Tan at saka si Andrew,” Curlee said.

Calatrava is married to Marie Josephine Diana “Happy” Kittilstvedt-Calatrava, sister of Tingog Party-list Representative Yedda Marie Kittilsvedt-Romualdez, wife of Martin.

He assumed leadership of OPAV in December 2022 and resigned in June 2025 after Malacañang asked for the courtesy resignation of all presidential appointees to give way to a Cabinet revamp. — (FREEMAN)