Manila: The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday cited Pacifico 'Curlee' Discaya in contempt for giving inconsistent statements regarding the absence of his wife, Cezarah Rowena 'Sarah', at an ongoing inquiry into alleged anomalies in flood control projects. This decision followed a motion by Senator Raffy Tulfo, who highlighted contradictions between Discaya's testimony and a letter submitted by his wife.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Erwin Tulfo seconded the motion, which was approved by Committee chairperson Senator Panfilo Lacson. During the hearing, Discaya claimed that his wife was unable to attend due to a heart condition, while her letter to the panel indicated she was absent due to a previously scheduled meeting with her employees. Senator Jinggoy Estrada pressed Discaya for a valid reason behind his wife's absence, while Senate President Vicente Sotto III initially questioned her absence.
Lacson read Mrs. Discaya's letter, which expressed her regret at missing the hearing because of a work commitment, further contradicting Curlee Discaya's statement about health issues. Senator Raffy Tulfo commented on the inconsistencies in the couple's accounts, suggesting they were misleading the committee. Senator Erwin Tulfo also noted the lack of coordination between the couple's excuses.
With the committee's decision, Curlee Discaya remains cited in contempt, while his wife faces a show-cause order to explain her absence. Additionally, former Bulacan Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Henry Alcantara was cited in contempt for denying knowledge of ghost projects in his jurisdiction despite evidence presented at the hearing. Lacson stated that Alcantara's denials were contrary to records and testimonies linking him to the questionable flood control projects.
The Senate is currently investigating alleged irregularities in flood control projects worth billions of pesos, with contractors and DPWH personnel under scrutiny for ghost works, substandard infrastructure, and potential bid-rigging. The inquiry follows reports of widespread corruption in allocations from 2022 to 2024.
