Arjo Atayde, Dean Asistio attend ICI probe, deny flood control links

Quezon City Representative Arjo Atayde and Caloocan Representative Dean Asistio on Tuesday voluntarily faced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), denying allegations against them over alleged anomalous flood control projects.

Atayde and Asistio were among the officials named by contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing in September.

Atayde described the allegations against him as hearsay.

"Bago po magturo ay ibigay po muna sa akin 'yung ebidensya laban sa akin (Before pointing fingers, give me first the evidence against me). Because up to this point, September 8, they haven't even given out anything against me or my father," he said.

Quezon City First District Cong. Arjo Atayde faces ICI, denies charge of benefitting from flood control projects @gmanews @24orasgma pic.twitter.com/VGggqgmjcS

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) November 25, 2025

During a Senate hearing, Curlee Discaya said he gave Atayde and his father, Art Atayde, kickbacks from projects. He later allegedly asked them to return the money, saying it was their remaining balance.

"My father's also willing to go through the investigation. Wala po kami… itinatago. Hindi ho ako magtatago, hindi ako iiwas, hindi ako lilipad ng ibang bansa. I am here to thoroughly go through the investigation to fight for my innocence po," the Quezon City congressman added.

(My father is also willing to go through the investigation. We have nothing to hide. I will not hide, I will not evade, I will not fly to another country. I am here to thoroughly go through the investigation to fight for my innocence.)

Atayde has requested an executive session with the ICI, the Marcos-created fact-finding body on the flood control scandal.

When asked why he made such a request, Atayde said he was asked by the ICI whether he wanted his testimony to be livestreamed.

Caloocan 3rd District Rep. Dean Asistio faces ICI, dares Discaya couple to produce evidence @gmanews @24orasgma pic.twitter.com/GwYz6MzOG8

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) November 25, 2025

Meanwhile, Asistio said he went to he ICI to clear his name. He also dared the Discaya couple to produce evidence against him.

"Wala hong katotohanan iyon. Naglabas na po ako ng official statement nu'ng unang araw pa lang na binanggit nila ito," Asistio said.

(There's no truth to that. I already released an official statement on the first day that they mentioned this.)

"Patunayan ho nila (They should prove it)," he added.

Asistio said he also requested an executive session to avoid "judgment by publicity."

"At baka meron po tayong mga sensitibong masabi sa ICI na hindi muna kinakailangan lumabas sa publiko. Para hindi makabaala sa imbestigasyon sa atin," he said.

(I might mention sensitive matters to the ICI that do not need to be disclosed to the public yet. [The executive session] would not impede on the ICI's investigation about my alleged involvement.) 

Asked if he will mention any names, Asistio said "maybe." — VDV, GMA Integrated News