Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Saturday, 20 December 2025, said embattled contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya aren't just "small fishes" in the flood control scandal, as they are not only contractors but instigators.
"Don’t fall for their propaganda that the Discayas are 'small fish.' As AMLC [Anti-Money Laundering Council] reported, bank accounts related to just four of their nine companies had inflows of over P180 billion (there are other companies, dummies, and cash not yet included in this number). And if we look closely, they are not just contractors, but instigators," Sotto said in a social media post.
"They’ve been around for several administrations and Congress leaderships. A number of people have told me that they always visit congressmen and even host meetings with their staff, to present available DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] funds. The mastermind [Curlee] would always boast about how big they can give the congressmen in advances/percentages/SOP," the mayor added.
Sotto expressed frustration with the slow pace of justice while noting hope that more individuals will be held accountable for corruption in flood control projects.
"Our slow justice system is frustrating. But let’s also put it into perspective: just six months ago, we didn’t even know the scale of corruption in the DPWH. Six months ago, the Discayas (along with many others) thought that they would be untouchable forever. Momentum seems to be in the right direction now," Sotto said.
The mayor also criticized the Discaya couple for involving their own children in their wrongful activities, noting that they named their companies after their children—St. Gerrard, St. Timothy, St. Matthew, and YPR.
According to Sotto, Matthew Carl “purchased” St. Matthew Corporation at 18 years old in 2022 for P245 million.
"Sana all may P245 million nung 18 years old. It [St. Matthew Corporation] has had at least P17 billion in DPWH contracts," Sotto said.
Another son of Sarah and Curlee, Gerrard William Francisco, at 18 years old in 2021, registered a “one-person corporation,” Way Maker General Contractor, with P50 million authorized capital stock and P12 million in paid-up capital.
"In 2023 alone, it had approximately P3 billion in infra projects," Sotto said. "Even with some pieces of property; one land title even says '(17 years old)' after the listed owner’s name."
"Mistermind & Mrs. Discaya, hindi lang kayo nagnakaw, tinulungan at tinuruan ninyo ang mga anak ninyong magnakaw," the mayor added.
"The best thing that they can do now is to grow a conscience and show remorse. However, it doesn't look like they're sorry at all."
He also said the Discayas continue to lie, and their stories keep changing.
"When everything was good, they said, 'we got rich with DPWH'; then in the Senate it became, 'we earn very little with DPWH, sometimes we even lose money'… good thing they already flaunted their ill-gotten wealth," Sotto said.
"First Curlee mentioned Speaker Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co; now the Discaya camp insists that they know nothing about them. Several people have told me that they continue to threaten their former employees who may testify against them. They continue to do evil. Two congressmen have told me that they are asking for money (cash) in exchange for not being included in the list or 'ledger' (blackmail)," the mayor added.
Sotto encouraged the public to remain vigilant and not lower their guard to hold those responsible accountable.
"We all have something to contribute. Let's all do our part," the mayor said.