DOJ believes Discayas secured over P200 billion in gov’t contracts

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said he believes that contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya secured more than P200 billion in government contracts.

In a briefing, the secretary said that the role of the Discaya couple was “very unique,” in that they were able to snag government contracts nationwide.

“Wala akong estimate. Basta P207 billion ang sabi ni Senator Lacson. I believe that. But probably it’s bigger,” Remulla said.

(I don't have an estimate. But Senator Panfilo Lacson said it was P207 billion.)

“Maybe a hundred billion more,” he added.

Remulla said that the Discayas defied the “territoriality principle” that only certain areas are for certain people.

“Alam nila ‘yung galawan pero sabi nga nila, pasaway sila. So they really hustled their way to get contracts around the whole country. That’s why the experience is unique,” he said.

(They know the moves but, as they say, they are hardheaded. So they really hustled their way to get contracts around the whole country. That’s why the experience is unique.)

He said that the Discayas also allowed others to borrow their license, allowing them to get projects in various territories.

The Discaya couple, along with other individuals, are now protected witnesses. 

The Department of Justice has clarified that they are “under provisional acceptance” into the Witness Protection Program.

However, they are still not state witnesses, according to the DOJ.

Remulla reiterated that restitution is still on the table and that the whole truth must come out.

“Kailangan ‘yan,” he said.

“Example lang, ‘yung pag amin na hinihiram ‘yung lisensya nila, bawal ‘yun eh. That’s ill-gotten wealth already,” he added.

(For example, the admission that their licenses were being borrowed, that’s prohibited. That’s ill-gotten wealth already.)

He said that the Discayas also have to provide information. 

“‘Yung dating we thought was being withheld, onti-onti nang nilalabas, but how complete will this be? Kasi nga sabi ko nga dapat mag sabi ng totoo at buong katotohanan,” he said.

(What we thought before was being withheld is now slowly being revealed, but how complete will this be? Because as I said, they should tell the truth and the whole truth.)

Lawmakers

Remulla said the DOJ will also invite the 17 lawmakers mentioned by the Discayas in order to validate the information given to them.

“We will invite them first. We will let the NBI invite them. If they do not show up, then we will have the NBI subpoena them,” he said.

Hoping to become state witnesses, the Discayas gave the names of several congressmen, their staff, and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, saying they were involved in corruption in the country’s flood control projects.

The members of Congress named by the Discaya couple were Roman Romulo (Pasig); Jojo Ang (Uswag Ilonggo Partylist); Patrick Michael Vargas (Quezon City); Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde (Quezon City); Nicanor "Nikki" Briones (Agap Partylist); Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro (Marikina); Florida Robes (San Jose del Monte, Bulacan); Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon); Benjamin "Benjie" Agarao, Jr. (Laguna); Florencio Gabriel Bem Noel (An-waray Partylist); Leody "Ode" Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro); Reynante "Reynan" Arogancia (Quezon); Marvin Rillo (Quezon City); Teodorico "Teodoro" Haresco (Aklan); Antonieta Yudela (Zamboanga Sibugay) Dean Asistio (Caloocan City); and Marivic Co-Pilar (Quezon City).

Many of them have already denied the allegations. 

Meanwhile, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said that Sarah Discaya explained the finger heart she gave to the members of the media as a “campaign” gesture.

He said that Sarah Discaya did not truly issue an apology but more of an explanation. 

“She said something about it being connected to her campaign. But we’re not in campaign period anymore. This is an investigation, not a campaign,” Clavano said in a separate interview.

“Kaya siguro again, we would like to remind all those persons involved to act accordingly, to behave, because this is one of the deepest issues that the country has to face and it deserves the sincerity and the respect of those involved,” he added. 

Clavano previously slammed Discaya, saying that her actions were a “sign of insincerity and complacency.”

For his part, Remulla said that this is not a good gesture and should not be repeated.

“This is not a photo-op. Parang naaalala ko ‘yung Alice Guo eh. ‘Yung nakipag-picture sila, diba, kay Alice Guo ‘yung NBI. Parang ganito. Very awkward eh,” he said, referring to the former Bamban, Tarlac mayor also making cheerful gestures while being photographed upon her return to the Philippines last year.

He stressed that nothing is settled yet.

“We’re just beginning to unravel the strain of what happened,” he said. — BM, GMA Integrated News