The lawyer of the Discaya family defended the couple’s ownership of luxury cars flagged by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), insisting the vehicles were lawfully acquired and fully registered.

In an interview on DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan, Atty. Cornelio Samaniego Jr. said the cars were purchased from three authorized local dealers and not imported, stating: “Hindi mo naman marerehistro ‘yan sa LTO kung hindi bayad ang taxes… Ang mga kliyente ko po, spouses Discaya ay buyers in good faith po sila.”

Allegations further emerged after reports linked one of the dealers to smuggling, but Samaniego stressed that his clients had no knowledge of such issues.

“Kung ganoon nga ang sitwasyon, ang masasabi ko lang po ay buyers in good faith po ‘yong mag-asawa,” he said.

The lawyer also clarified that the vehicles were parked at the Discayas’ construction firm in Pasig, not at their residence. “Ang mga sasakyan po may sariling parking sa baba ng opisina. Legit na binili ‘yon sa authorized car dealers,” he said, adding: “Rehistrado po lahat ‘yan. Willing po kami makipag-cooperate. Kasi kung illegal ‘yan bakit pa namin ipapark doon?”

Samaniego confirmed that only two of the 12 cars were at the site during the BOC’s inspection, saying the other ten were in use or under preventive maintenance. He also assured that Curlee Discaya would appear before the Senate if summoned.

“Kung may subpoena si Mr. Curlee Discaya, wala siyang magagawa kundi tumalima,” he said.