Curlee Discaya says he gave ‘tens of millions’ to QC district engineer

Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Disacaya on Thursday said that his firm gave “tens of millions” worth of "tokens" to a district engineer in Quezon City in exchange for flood control projects.

When Senator Risa Hontiveros asked if the total amount they gave to Quezon City 2nd District Engineer Johnny Protesta, Jr. reached hundreds of millions, Discaya answered, “Wala pa naman po [not yet].”

“Nasa tens of million na po? [Did it reached tens of millions?]” Hontiveros further questioned.

“Malamang siguro, kasi hindi pa kami nakakakuha ng kolekta [Most probably, because we have yet to collect],” Discaya replied.

Discaya also said the sums, amounting to 4%-5% per project, were given to Protesta through his personnel.

“May naka-appoint na sila, kung sino din kadalasan yung negotiators at bidders na tumatanggap ng buyout, sila halos din yung kumuuha,” he said.

(They already appointed someone, who is also the usual negotiator and bidder that accepts the buyout.)

He added that at times, no confirmation is needed when receiving the token.

“Kadalasan pag nagkikita kami, halimbawa, namasyal sa office. Nagkakaintihan na kami. Wala nang follow-up. Ibigsabihin po pag hindi ka na napapahirapan o di kaya ok naman yung next collection mo pag nag request ng bidding ibigsabihin OK na po yun,” Discaya said.

(Most of the time, for example, I visited his office. We just look at each other. There was no follow-up, which means we’re good.)

The contractor further denied giving tokens to National Capital Region District Engineer Gerard Opulencia and Quezon City 1st District Engineer Arturo L. Gonzales, Jr.

Discaya earlier said that after they won the bidding, some officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways approached them to ask and take their share of the cost from the project.

“Ang hinihingi nilang porsyento ay hindi bababa sa sampung porsyento at umaabot pa ng 25% na naging kondisyon upang hindi maipit ang implementasyon ng programa,” he said.

(The percentage they demanded was at least 10% percent up to 25% which was a condition so that the implementation of the program would continue.) — BM, GMA Integrated News