Discaya info still lacking; charges to be filed in ‘coming weeks’ — DOJ

The Department of Justice on Monday said it is still not happy with the information provided by contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya over anomalous flood control projects, adding that the department has already set a timeline on the filing of cases with or without their statements.

“Patuloy naman po ‘yung kanilang pag presenta, pero syempre sa nakalipas pong panahon, hanggang ngayon po, wala pa rin po tayong estado na masaya na ang kagawaran sa kanilang inilalahad,” DOJ officer-in-charge Undersecretary Fredderick Vida said in a briefing.

(Their presentation continues, but of course, over time and even up to now, we cannot say yet that the department is satisfied with what they’ve presented.)

Vida said the Discayas have yet to file a ‘tell-all’ affidavit.

The Discayas, who are considered protected witnesses, have been visiting the DOJ for at least a month for case build up over the probe.

During a Senate inquiry, they have expressed willingness to become state witnesses or individuals that are discharged from a case and freed from criminal liability. 

When asked if the DOJ has given a deadline to the couple until when they will be entertained or accommodated, Vida said the timeline is already set.

“People are impatient. If we don’t find something satisfactory, we will file the appropriate cases with our without their statements. We will build the cases based on the evidence that we have,” he said.

GMA News Online reached out to Discaya camp for comment and will publish it once available.

Coming weeks

According to Vida, the Justice Department is eyeing to file cases over the anomalous projects in the coming weeks.

“In the coming weeks, we will be filing… in coordination with the Ombudsman and the ICI, we will be filing the appropriate cases,” Vida said.

Earlier, the National Bureau of Investigation has recommended to the DOJ the prosecution of several lawmakers, including former Senate President Chiz Escudero and former House Appropriations chair Zaldy Co.

The DOJ panel of prosecutors will first conduct a preliminary investigation into the recommendation and then issue a resolution on whether the case will be dismissed or filed with the courts.

“Hindi po kailangan na hintayin na sila ay handang magbigay ng kanilang salaysay o ‘yung sinasabi ng kanilang abugado that they will tell-all,” Prosecutor General Richard “Dong” Fadullon said.

(It’s not necessary to wait for them to be ready to give their statement or for what their lawyer says — that they will tell all.)

“Malalaman lang po natin ‘yan kapag nandyan na po sa harap ng nag-iimbestiga at ie-evaluate din po natin. Titignan natin kung ito ay sapat na para sila ay i-konsiderang state witness,” he added.

(We will only know that once they are in front of the investigators, and we will also evaluate it. We’ll see if it is sufficient for them to be considered as state witnesses.)

However, the DOJ declined to divulge the cases that will be filed. Fadullon said this will be based on the evidence. 

Meanwhile, Vida asked the public for patience, saying authorities cannot take shortcuts and they need to follow the rule of law.

“Sapol po tayong lahat dito. Kaisa ninyo po kami, kaisa ninyo po kami. Marami pong maayos at matitinong kawani ng gobyerno. Magtulong-tulong po tayo,” Vida said.

(All of us are affected here. We stand with you, we stand with you. There are many decent and upright government employees. Let’s all work together.)

Aside from the Discayas, also considered protected witnesses are former Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, dismissed Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara, and engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza. —AOL, GMA Integrated News