During the third hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on alleged flood control anomalies, embattled contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya named several lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials as recipients of kickbacks from government projects awarded to their construction companies.
In their sworn statements, the Discayas claimed they were forced to give between 10 percent and 25 percent of project funds to secure government contracts and avoid delays or obstacles in project implementation.
"Paulit-ulit kaming ginamit ng mga nasa puwesto sa sistemang ito," Curlee said. "Wala kaming magawa dahil kung hindi kami makikisama, gagawan nila ng problema ang project na na-award sa amin sa pamamagitan ng mutual termination o nagkakaroon ng right of way problem na parehong nagdudulot ng hindi matuloy ang implementasyon ng mga proyekto."
The Discayas emphasized that they consider themselves innocent, but acknowledged that members of Congress and DPWH officials allegedly demanded portions of project funds.
According to Curlee, the pressure to pay kickbacks became unavoidable once their company, St. Gerrard Construction, started gaining recognition. St. Gerrard Construction is among the top 15 companies identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
“Unti-unting nagsilapitan ang mga district engineers at mga regional directors ng DPWH at mga chiefs of staff ng mga mambabatas na nag-aalok ng mga proyektong sinasabi nilang pondo ng mambabatas,” the affidavit stated.
“Noong una, sinubukan naming labanan ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng pagre-report sa DPWH [subalit] hindi sila natitinag. Sabi nila, dapat tanggapin namin ang realidad na dapat kaming magbayad sa mga mambabatas kung gusto naming magpatuloy na magkaroon ng projects sa gobyerno,” they added.
Committee chairperson Senator Rodante Marcoleta said the Discayas could be considered state witnesses, provided they were not the most culpable parties.
The lawmakers named in the affidavit include:
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Former Undersecretary for the Visayas, Terrence Calatrava
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Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo
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Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas
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Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. Jojo Ang
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Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde
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AGAP Partylist Rep. Nicanor “Nikki” Briones
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Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro
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San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes
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Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona
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Former Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr.
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Former An Waray Partylist Rep. Florencio “Bem” Noel
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Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela
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Quezon Province Rep. Reynan Arrogancia
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Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo
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Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Antonieta R. Eudela
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Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr.
- Caloocan Rep. Dean Asistio
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Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar
Furthermore, Curlee Discaya earlier claimed that a total of 30 percent commission was given to government officials, with the largest shares allegedly going to former Committee on Appointments chair Rep. Zaldy Co and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Meanwhile, Curlee also named DPWH officials who allegedly demanded a 25% share from the projects they have won in the bidding.
"Matapos namin 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," Curlee Discaya said.
List of DPWH Officials allegedly involved according to Discayas were:
- Regional Director Eduarte Virgilio of DPWH Region V
- Director Ramon A. Arriola III of Unified Project Management Offices (UPMO)
- District Engineer Henry Alcantara of DPWH Bulacan 1st
- Undersecretary Robert Bernando
- District Engineer Aristotle Ramos of DPWH Metro Manila 1st
- District Engineer Manny Bulusan of DPWH North Manila DEO
- District Engineer Edgardo C. Pingol of DPWH Bulacan Sub-Deo
- District Engineer Michael Rosaria of DPWH Quezon 2nd DEO
The disclosure comes amid growing scrutiny over alleged anomalies in flood control and other infrastructure projects under the DPWH.
