Caloocan City Third District Representative Dean Asistio has formally denied allegations that he solicited and received kickbacks from public works contractors, calling the claims “pure lies” in a sworn affidavit executed on 24 November 2025.
Asistio submitted the affidavit to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in response to accusations made by contractors Pacifico “Curlee” Felizario Discaya II and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, owners of several construction firms. The couple had previously submitted sworn statements to a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
In their 8 September affidavit, the Discayas alleged that after winning public works bids, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials would demand a cut of the project cost, ranging from 10 to 25 percent. They listed “Cong. Dean Asistio of Caloocan” as among the recipients of these cash payments.
In a subsequent affidavit on 23 September, the couple further claimed that a certain “Mike Pacubas,” whom they identified as a “bagman” for Asistio, collected “parking fees” — a term often used for facilitation payments — for projects under the DPWH-Metro 3rd district.
Asistio “categorically and vehemently” denied all accusations in his counter-affidavit, which was filed in compliance with an ICI request for investigation.
“I never asked or received money or its equivalent from Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Felizario Discaya II and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya,” the young congressman stated.
