A lawmaker has allegedly intimidated the Discaya couple with the threat of a contempt order if they refused to name a senator during the House Infrastructure Committee hearing on Tuesday, September 9.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta claimed he received a text message from the Discayas’ lawyer, relaying the threat.

“Mayroon po palang isang congressman kanina pong naghe-hearing sila na nakausap ‘yung abogado ng Discaya. Kailangan mayroon kayong matukoy na senador sapagkat mako-contempt kayo,” Marcoleta said.

Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, who was in attendance at the House inquiry on Tuesday, did not implicate a senator and was not cited in contempt.

However, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez linked former Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and former Senate Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva to the flood control scandal in the same hearing.

Hernandez had alleged the two received 30 percent of every flood control project in Bulacan.

On September 10, House Infrastructure Committee Co-Chair Rep. Terry Ridon invited the senators to the lower chamber’s inquiry, allowing them the “right to reply.”