Curlee, Sarah Discaya back at DOJ amid case buildup on flood control mess

Contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya II and his wife Sarah returned Saturday to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the continuation of the government's case buildup regarding alleged anomalous flood control projects.

According to Christian Maño's report on Super Radyo dzBB, the Discayas arrived at the DOJ past noon.

Curlee came from the Senate's detention facility as he remains under the custody of the upper chamber, the report said.

He wore a bullet-proof vest and was escorted by Police Security and Protection Group personnel.

Sarah, meanwhile, arrived in a separate vehicle.

The Discaya couple and their lawyer declined to issue statements, although Sarah made a finger heart to members of the media.

Before she eventually left the office, she was asked by reporters how her appointment at the DOJ went. She replied: "Gandahan n'yo memes ko (Make good memes about me.)"

Earlier, the Discayas were placed under the DOJ's Witness Protection Program, along with former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza. 

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, however, has clarified that they are not yet considered state witnesses as these are considered free from criminal liability.

Remulla has urged the Discayas, who previously expressed interest in becoming state witnesses, to present evidence that will support their statements regarding the involvement of lawmakers, their staff, and DPWH officials who are allegedly involved in kickbacks off flood control projects.

The Discayas' visit comes a day after the DOJ confirmed that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended the prosecution of several individuals for case buildup in relation to the corruption scandal.

These personalities include Senators Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Joel Villanueva, former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., and Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co. All of them have denied committing any wrongdoing.

The DOJ said the NBI's recommendation "stems directly" from the sworn testimonies of Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza, and former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. 

"Their statements provided the basis for identifying these individuals as having sufficient preliminary links to the acts under investigation," the DOJ said in a statement Friday.

"The DOJ will now subject this recommendation to rigorous case build-up under the National Prosecution Service. No one is above the law, and no position, title, or influence will shield anyone from accountability. Those named will be required to answer, under the rule of law, the serious allegations now standing against them," the DOJ said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News