Discaya couple names gov't execs allegedly linked to flood control projects

September 9 ------ Contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya on Monday disclosed the names of several congressmen, their staff, and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways who are allegedly involved in corruption in the country’s flood control projects.

The Discaya couple said this during the ongoing Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, as they expressed willingness to be state witnesses into the investigation. “Paulit ulit kaming ginamit ng mga nasa pwesto sa sistemang ito, wala kaming magawa dahil kung hindi kami makikisama, gagawan nila ng problema ang project na na-award sa amin sa pagitan ng mutual termination o pagkakaroon ng right of way problem na parehong nagdudulot ng hindi matuloy ang implementasyon ng mga proyekto,” Curlee Discaya said in his testimony. “Matapos naming manalo sa mga bidding, may mga opisyal mula sa DPWH ang lumalapit sa amin para humingi at kumuha ng bahagi niya sa halaga ng proyekto. Ang hinihingi nilang porsyento ay hindi bababa sa sampung porsyento at umaabot pa ng 25% na naging kondisyon upang hindi maipit ang implementasyon ng programa,” he added.

The congressmen mentioned by the Discaya couple were: 

- Pasig City Rep Roman Romulo

- Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. Jojo Ang

- Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas

- Quezon City Rep. Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde

- Agap Partylist Rep. Nicanor "Nikki" Briones 

- Marikina Rep. Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro

- San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes

- Romblon Rep.  Eleandro Jesus Madrona

- Rep. Benjamin "Benjie" Agarao, Jr.

- An-waray Partylist Rep. Florencio Gabriel Bem Noel

- Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody "Ode" Tarriela

- Quezon Rep. Reynante "Reynan" Arogancia

- Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo

- Aklan Rep. Teodorico "Teodoro" Haresco

- Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Antonieta Yudela

- Caloocan City Rep. Dean Asistio

- Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co Pillar.

Former Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas of the Philippines Undersecretary Terrence Calatrava was also mentioned. Curlee Discaya said that staff of some politicians also asked to meet them to ask for a percentage in exchange for the projects awarded to them.

Meanwhile, the DPWH officials allegedly involved were:  

- Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte of DPWH Region V

- Director Ramon Arriola III of Unified Project Management Offices

- District Engineer Henry Alcantara of DPWH Bulacan 1st District

- Undersecretary Robert Bernardo

- District Engineer Aristotle Ramos of DPWH Metro Manila 1st District

- District Engineer Edgardo Pingol of DPWH Bulcana Sub-Deo

- District Engineer Michael Rosaria of DPWH Quezon 2nd DEO

“Karamihan sa mga kawani ng DPWH na nabanggit sa itaas ay paulit-ulit na binabanggit ang delivery ng pera ay para kay Zaldy Co, na dapat ay at least 25%,” Curlee Discaya said. “Si Cong. Marvin Rillo naman ay ilang beses binabanggit ang pangalan ni Speaker Martin Romualdez bilang kanyang malapit na kaibigan,” he added. 

With their testimony, the Discaya couple asked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the Senate blue ribbon committee chaired by Senator Rodante Marcoleta help for protection and security for their family. According to Sarah Discaya, district engineers and regional directors of DPWH and chiefs-of-staff of lawmakers earlier offered projects said to be funded by the congressmen when their companies started winning in government biddings. 

She said that they initially tried to decline the offer by reporting the scheme to the DPWH, but to no avail. “Sabi nila, dapat tanggapin namin ang reyalidad na dapat kaming magbayad sa mga mambabatas kung gusto pa naming magpatuloy na magkaroon ng projects sa gobyerno. Kung hindi, binabala nila na matanggal sa listahan ang kumpanya namin at hindi na makakakuha ng kahit anong proyekto,” she said. “Hindi naming ginusto kailanman na mapasama sa ganitong sistema, pero kailangan naming magpatuloy para sa pamilya at mga empleyado,” she added. 

Source: gmanetwork.com