Discayas as state witnesses? Ombudsman’s office says 'no chance'

Contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Sarah Discaya have zero chance of being state witnesses for the flood control cases because of their deep involvement in the anomalies, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.

“The Discayas, due to their uncooperative behavior now, there's absolutely no chance that they can even become state witnesses anymore. Because of their statement that they are uncooperative, then they are deemed to be hostile witnesses and can only be charged as respondents and in the future in cases of malversation of public funds, falsification of public documents, and all the other crimes that they were a part of,” Clavano, who is also the Ombudsman's spokesperson, said in a press conference.

“Dahil alam naman natin na higit 4,000 po ang sinalihan nilang bids around the country and kahit anong scheme or scam na nakita natin sa DPWH, kasama sila. So it's impossible that they can be considered as a state witness for all those crimes that they've committed. Choice nila ‘yun,” Clavano added.

(They participated in around 4,000 bids nationwide. They dipped their hands in every scheme and scam in the Department of Public Works and Highways. That is their choice.)

Clavano said the government will not treat uncooperative witnesses with kid gloves.

“Kung gusto talaga nila na maging uncooperative, then the government has no choice but to run after them with every ounce of effort that we can muster,” he said.

(If they want to be uncooperative, then it has consequences.)

Likewise, Clavano said that the Discayas will now lose their protective witness status under the Justice department.

“Yes, definitely [they will lose it]. Iyong protection na binibigay po sa kanila is a consequence or as a result of the application that they had to become state witness. It is a prelude to being a state witness. But we think, there's absolutely no chance right now kung maging hostile sila sa atin,” Clavano added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News