Arjo Atayde turns emotional while denying kickback allegations

Quezon City 1st District Representative Arjo Atayde became emotional after he denied allegations involving him and his father in corruption connected to flood control projects.

According to Joseph Morong’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, Atayde and Caloocan 3rd District Representative Dean Asistio both faced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) after contractor couple Pacifico and Sarah Discaya alleged that they were asking for kickbacks. 

The Discayas claimed that Atayde’s father, Arturo, received money from them so their projects will not be hampered. But the Quezon City lawmaker denied the claims. 

“My father is also willing to go to the investigation. Wala po kaming tinatago. Hindi ako magta-tago. Hindi ako iiwas. Hindi ako lilipad ng ibang bansa. I am here to thoroughly go through the investigation and fight for my innocence po,” he told reporters while trying to hold back tears. 

(My father is also willing to go to the investigation. We are not hiding anything. I will not hide. I will not evade. I will not fly to another country. I am here to thoroughly go through the investigation and fight for my innocence.) 

In a separate statement after facing the ICI, Atayde said that all the flood control projects in his district were initiated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

“All flood control projects in my district were initiated and proposed by the DPWH, long before they reached Congress,” he said. 

“The DPWH itself has certified that the projects in my district exist, are implemented, and are fully documented. Wala pong ghost projects sa distrito natin. Wala pong ninakaw na pera ng bayan,” Atayde added. 

(The DPWH itself has certified that the projects in my district exist, are implemented, and are fully documented. There are no ghost projects in our district. No public funds were stolen.) 

He also clarified that he has nothing to do with Pacifico Discaya. 

Although ICI has issued a policy on livestreaming sessions, the two congressmen requested to hold an executive session instead. 

Meanwhile, Asistio denied personally receiving cash from the Discayas as recorded in a ledger. 

“Dineny po natin at paulit-ulit po nating ide-deny na meron pong tayong kinalaman sa implementation ng projects sa ating distrito,” the Caloocan solon said.

(We denied, and we will repeatedly deny, that we have any involvement in the implementation of projects in our district.) 

Asistio also said that he only met the Discayas once last November 2024 during an awarding ceremony. 

Both Atayde and Asistio challenged the Discayas to prove their allegations. 

“First and foremost, paano ko ika-counter? Wala nga po silang pruweba,. For me, just give us proof first,” said Atayde. 

(First and foremost, how can I counter? They don't have proof. For me, just give us proof first.) 

“Patunayan po nila,” said Asistio

(They should prove it.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News