Curlee Discaya named respondent in Davao Occidental ghost project

A manifestation sent by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Office of the Ombudsman includes contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya as a respondent in the P96.5‑million ghost project case in Davao Occidental tied to his wife, Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya.

This was announced by Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano on Monday when asked to clarify reports about the names of “high-profile” individuals submitted by DPWH to the anti-graft body regarding anomalous flood-control projects in Bulacan and Davao Occidental mentioned by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.

Clavano said a manifestation was submitted by DPWH through Secretary Dizon, impleading Curlee Discaya in the same case in Davao Occidental, where his wife is already impleaded.

To implead means to officially include a person in a court case or take legal action against them so they can respond to claims or be held responsible if necessary.

The Ombudsman official said they also received affidavits from “various people” stating that Discaya “has beneficial ownership or is exercising control over the companies involved in the Davao Occidental case.”

“When you say beneficial ownership, it is all included. Either they are the ones who signed on behalf of the corporations, even though they are not on paper,” Clavano added.

“They are the ones giving instructions to the people in the company, exercising dominion over the company essentially. So even though they are not on paper, they are the ultimate beneficial owners of the company. And that is a challenge for us,” he said.

Reports show Discaya has remained in Senate detention after senators cited him for contempt for allegedly lying and giving inconsistent statements during a hearing on the flood-control scandal last year.

The Ombudsman on 5 December filed graft and malversation charges against Mrs. Discaya, who serves as president of her construction company, and eight DPWH officials over the alleged anomalous flood-control project in Davao Occidental.

The charges were filed before the Regional Trial Court in Digos City, later transferred to the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu — a special court designated by the Supreme Court to try infrastructure-related corruption cases.

Mrs. Discaya and others were accused by the Ombudsman of conspiring to facilitate the release of funds for the construction of a concrete revetment, or retaining wall, in Barangay Culaman in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

On 22 January 2022, the project was awarded to St. Timothy Construction Corp. and was reported completed on 2 October 2022.

However, official government inspection findings and witness accounts indicated that the project was never implemented.

It is the second flood-control corruption case brought to court by the Ombudsman and the first involving the Discaya couple.