Discaya links lawmakers, DPWH execs to kickbacks

Congressmen and public works officials were tagged as pawns of Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, in a sworn statement from owners of a construction firm who alleged years of kickbacks and political pressure to secure public works contracts.

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Contractor couple Pacifico "Curlee" and Cezarah "Sarah" Discaya read a sworn statement before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing yesterday, where they accused 18 district and party-list congressmen of pocketing up to 25 percent of project funds, saying kickbacks had become the norm in doing business with the government.

Citing their experience, the couple said the scheme began when a contact offered them access to national-level projects through connections in Congress - if they paid.

The Discayas alleged that these congressmen were responsible for demanding shares from projects and that the practice had become entrenched since they began handling government projects in 2016.

"They demanded no less than 10 percent and even up to 25 percent," the couple said in their statement read before the committee chaired by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta. They said kickbacks were made in cash and supported by vouchers and ledgers, which the committee subpoenaed for the next hearing.

Those named in the affidavit were Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, Quezon City Reps. Marvin Rillo, Marivic CoPilar, Arjo Atayde, Michael Vargas; Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, Caloocan Rep. Dean Asistio, San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Madrona, Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr., Quezon Rep. Reynante Arrogancia, Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Antonieta Eudela, Occidental Mindoro Rep.

Leody Tarriela and Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr. Party-list representatives on their list include Uswag Ilonggo Rep. Jojo Ang, AGAP Rep. Nicanor Briones and An-Waray Rep. Florencio Noel.

They pointed to former presidential undersecretary Terrence Calatrava as conduits of the scheme.

Malacañang cautioned the Discayas against naming names without evidence. "You cannot just namedrop. They need to have complete evidence," Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing in Cambodia yesterday.