The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee approved the motion of Senator Raffy Tulfo to place government contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st district engineer Henry Alcantara under the custody of The Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) of the Senate.
Tulfo moved for their detention during Thursday’s hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control projects. Both Alcantara and Discaya were cited in contempt for giving false or inconsistent testimonies before the panel.
“Mr. Chair, given that Mr. Discaya has been cited in contempt and Mr. Alcantara, I move that they be detained and handed over to the custody of the Senate Sergeant at Arms,” Tulfo said.
The motion was approved without objection.
Alcantara was cited in contempt after repeatedly denying involvement in alleged ghost projects in Bulacan, despite evidence presented during the hearings.
Discaya, meanwhile, was held in contempt for allegedly lying about the absence of his wife, Sarah, in Thursday’s session.
Discaya told senators that Sarah missed the hearing due to a "heart condition."
However, the committee read an excuse letter her wife, Sarah Discaya, submitted, stating that she could not attend because she had a scheduled meeting with her employees to discuss the company’s problems.
"I deeply regret to inform you that I will be unable to attend the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigation (Blue Ribbon) fourth public hearing scheduled for September 18, 2025, at 9:00 in the morning. Regrettably, I have an important meeting with my employees on the day of the hearing to explain the problem that the company is facing now and the effects this has on them,” Lacson quoted Sarah Discaya's letter.
The conflicting explanations drew sharp remarks from Senator Erwin Tulfo, who quipped, “Hindi ba kayo nag-usap? Sana nag-usap muna kayong dalawa. ‘Ano bang palusot ang gagawin natin, sweetheart?."
Both Discaya and Alcantara are now under Senate custody while the probe continues.
