De Lima slams Discayas for withdrawing from probe

Opposition lawmaker Leila de Lima castigated big-time contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya for withdrawing cooperation with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) probe into the flood control anomalies after supposedly learning that they would not be accorded blanket immunity.

De Lima narrated that, from the beginning, the couple already appeared “the most guilty,” reducing their chances of being selected by the commission as state witnesses.

“That’s not possible. They appear to be the most guilty—or one of the most guilty,” she said in Filipino in an interview. “But we expect them to tell all; they have no choice.”

The Discayas were reportedly discouraged after learning that they would not get a “favorable recommendation from the commission as state witnesses,” citing an interview with ICI Commissioner Babes Singson, who said they are considered principal players in the scheme.

Nonetheless, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka expressed confidence that their withdrawal would not disrupt the ongoing investigation, as their existing affidavits are already ample for a case buildup against the personalities involved.

The Discayas have been in hot water over allegations of bribery and bid-rigging in the flood control projects.

A Senate panel’s investigation revealed that the couple ran nine construction firms that bid against each other. These firms, which have already lost their licenses, bagged over P30 billion in government contracts for flood control during the first half of the Marcos administration.

They also won flood control contracts in previous administrations, starting from the Arroyo administration.

A parallel investigation in the House revealed that their firms' gross incomes grew exponentially starting in 2017, the first full year of former President Rodrigo Duterte's term in office.

Financial statements from the SEC, cited by House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin during the hearing, showed that revenue jumped from P99 million in 2016 to P1.3 billion in 2017, and skyrocketed to P20.5 billion in 2022.

The period covers the Duterte administration, but the Discayas maintained that no kickback scheme existed, raising suspicion among lawmakers that they are being selective and singling out those from the Marcos administration.

De Lima posits that the couple deliberately withholds relevant information, suggesting that they shield some personalities from being dragged into the flood control fiasco, which she called the “biggest corruption scandal in our history.”

“[They’re] clearly protecting certain individuals. Now they have the ambition to become state witnesses?” she said.

The Discayas implicated at least 19 House lawmakers, including former Speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned lawmaker Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol, accusing them of receiving 10 to 25 percent kickbacks for every flood control project awarded to their firms. The lawmakers denied the allegations.

Ombudsman Remulla, however, asserted that his office would not allow the Discayas’ evasive attitude, vowing to press them into divulging their alleged connection with CLTG Builders, a firm reportedly tied to Senator Bong Go.

The CLTG, allegedly owned by the senator’s father or brother, entered a joint venture with the Discayas in 2017 and secured several infrastructure projects across Davao—the senator's bailiwick.

Remulla suspects that Go is among the personalities being protected by the couple, but the senator denied knowing the Discayas personally, nor did he have any business dealings with them, saying he welcomes any investigation.