Manila: Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya and his wife, Cezarah "Sarah" Discaya, met with Department of Justice (DOJ) officials in Manila on Friday to discuss the possibility of becoming government witnesses. The Discayas arrived separately early morning, with the husband brought in by a Senate vehicle after he was cited in contempt Thursday. The couple submitted affidavits for evaluation to determine if their testimonies met the standards for the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

According to Philippines News Agency, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla emphasized the confidentiality of the proceedings under the witness protection law. "The proceedings are confidential of the witness protection. It's in the law. we have to be careful about what we talk about (in public)," Remulla told the media. He highlighted the importance of truthfulness and restitution in the concept of justice. "While not in the law, it is in human nature and our concept of justice firstly (that state witness must tell) the whole truth, and secondly, in the end there will be restitution (of the amounts involved)."

Remulla also refrained from confirming whether the return of money, allegedly from anomalous transactions, was discussed during the meeting. "It's still confidential. I think it was a relief for them to be able to talk to people who are only after the truth. We don't want anything else here," he stated. The DOJ plans to work closely with lawmakers conducting the legislative inquiry and the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

Additionally, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano IV mentioned that the appearance of the Discaya couple was only 'part of procedure' and did not guarantee their admission to the WPP. Remulla had previously indicated that the couple's admission as state witnesses would depend on their full disclosure of the truth.