Senate maintains Curlee Discaya's contempt order within its constitutional authority

The Senate on Thursday stood firm in its decision in citing contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya II in contempt, saying that the order was issued within the upper chamber’s constitutional authority.

This developed as Atty. Cornelio Samaniego III filed a habeas corpus petition for Discaya, almost a month since he was first cited in contempt by the Senate.

The office of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III confirmed that the Senate has received the petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

“In a hearing held before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Pasay City, Branch 298, presided over by Hon. Melvin Cydrick Bughao, the court ordered that Discaya remain under the safekeeping of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms,” Sotto’s office said.

It noted that Discaya’s lawyers argued on the legality of his continued detention in Senate premises, while the respondents were represented by the Senate legal counsel.

“The Senate remains firm in its decision, asserting that the contempt order against Discaya was issued within its constitutional authority,” it added.

Sotto's office said that the hearing is scheduled to resume on Monday, then the case will be turned over to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for the succeeding hearings.

Discaya was cited in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for lying about the absence of his wife, Sarah, during a hearing on anomalous flood control projects on September 18.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Wednesday filed multiple tax complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Curlee, his wife Sarah Discaya, as well as a corporate officer over P7.1 billion in tax liabilities from 2018 to 2021. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News