Discayas will no longer cooperate with ICI —Hosaka

Contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya will no longer cooperate with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on its investigation into the alleged anomalous flood control projects, Executive Director Brian Hosaka said Wednesday.

"They are now saying they will no longer appear before the commission and cooperate," he said. 

Hosaka said the couple withdrew their cooperation after they saw a media interview of ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson, where he said that no one has yet qualified to become state witnesses.

"They explained that they were thinking that when they cooperate before the ICI, they will be getting a favorable recommendation from the commission as state witness," added Hosaka. 

However, he noted the remarks are Singson’s opinion and not of the commission.

The ICI Executive Director also said that the Discayas’ move will not affect their probe.

“Kung ano man ang nasabi nila at ng ibang testigo, will be sufficient enough to build our cases and file necessary recommendations sa Ombudsman,” he said. 

(Their testament, as well as other witnesses' remarks, will be sufficient enough to build our cases and file necessary recommendations to the Ombudsman.)

“Meron naman tayong magiging sources of information for us to build our case,” he added. 

(We can get information from other sources for the case buildup.)

The Discayas arrived at the ICI early Wednesday for the continuation of the closed-door hearings on the allegedly anomalous flood control projects. 

Curlee arrived at the ICI office in Taguig shortly before his wife, Sarah, according to the videos posted by GMA Integrated News’ Joseph Morong.

It was their third appearance before the commission. 

The couple was supposed to appear for the ICI's October 7 hearing, but requested a postponement to allow them to have more time to retrieve certain documents. 

It was also during this time that the Bureau of Internal Revenue filed multiple tax complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the contractor-couple as well as a corporate officer for over P7.1 billion in tax liabilities from 2018 to 2021.

Sought for comment, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said that the Discayas are making the wrong move.

“They are misguided. Cooperation with the government is their only option right now. It will serve the public’s interest as well,” Clavano said in a statement.

House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima of ML party-list, for her part, said the Discayas should be prosecuted for their previous admissions before legislative inquiries.

“What they already confessed under oath in Congress and stated in the affidavits they submitted so far can be used against them. It is now up to the ICI, the DOJ and the Ombudsman to gather additional evidence vs. the Discayas and all those who are involved, other than their confessions in Congress and affidavits submitted to the DOJ ,” de Lima, a former Justice secretary, said.

“Other evidence include DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) bidding and project documents, AMLC (Anti Money Laundering Council) reports, and other government records. The ICI should also already instruct the NBI to apply for a search warrant of all Discaya residences and offices to search for and seize documents evidencing corruption in the projects awarded to them, documents which they already admitted are in their possession,” she added. —VAL/BM, GMA Integrated News