Vico Sotto attends House probe on flood control projects

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto showed up before the House Infrastructure Committee flood control investigation on Tuesday, September 9.

Sotto’s presence in the House flood control probe came less than 24 hours after he cautioned the public from believing the testimony made by contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya II of St. Gerrard Construction, which bagged government flood control project contracts.

The Discaya couple accused several House lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials of allegedly taking commissions out of the government's flood control projects, which they were supposedly forced to comply with in order to continue doing business. 

“May we be vigilant and discerning. Obviously there are congressmen, DPWH officials, and contractors who are guilty. But the Spouses Discaya are clearly angling to become state witness para di sila makulong. We know they are capable of lying. Just go back to their campaign period videos and posts,” Sotto said in a statement posted on his Facebook page. 

(The Discayas are trying to avoid jail time.) 

Sotto also questioned the Discaya's claim that their company profit on government contracts is just at 2% to 3%, and that they even suffered a loss. 

“Taliwas ito sa statement nila sa isang interview, kung saan sinabi nilang bilyonaryo sila at nasa "11 digits" na daw ang pera nila. Meaning, at least P10 billion. How can you be a billionaire with a 2% to 3% profit?,” Sotto said. 

“Sinong gagawa ng ganun kalaking krimen para sa 2-3% na kita? Huwag tayong magpauto sa mga paawa effect nila... Wala daw silang magawa? The challenge is now how to sift through the half-truths and attempts to mislead us,” he added.

(Who will dare do such a crime for a measly profit? Let us not fall for their attempt to get our sympathy.)

The Discaya couple skipped the House flood control probe and did not send any representative. –VAL, GMA Integrated News