Court orders arrest of Curlee Discaya, 10 others in flood mess probe

The Malolos Bulacan Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a warrant of arrest against contractors Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, his wife Cezarah and nine others for malversation through falsification of public documents in connection with their alleged involvement in the kickback scheme from flood control projects.

The court issued the warrant of arrest just a day after the Office of the Ombudsman filed malversation and graft charges against the Discaya couple and nine other individuals namely: Merg Jaron Laus, Brice Ericson Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Ernesto Galang, Norberto Santos, Lorenzo Pagtalunan, Juanito Coronel Mendoza, Floralyn Simbulan, Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando

The court recommended no bail for the 11 accused.

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Curlee Discaya will be brought to Bulacan on Monday, June 8, 2026.

"He's in Senate custody now. The RTC that issued the warrant is closed already 'til Monday. We will get him from the Senate on Monday and bring him to Bulacan," Remulla said.

Bulacan project

The subject government project in these cases is the rehabilitation of river construction structure along Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan under Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Contract ID No. 22CC0058.

“The findings of the Office of the Ombudsman reveal an utter and flagrant disregard for government auditing and accounting regulations. Specifically, investigators discovered that payments for the project’s first billing were released despite an unapproved Disbursement Voucher,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said after the filing of charges.

“Furthermore, full payments for dredging and embankment items were made without any basis for computation or the necessary supporting documents required to prove project accomplishment,” Clavano added.

Clavano said these actions by the accused resulted in an unwarranted benefit to St. Timothy Construction Corporation worth around P53.9 million, “causing significant financial injury to the government.” —LDF, GMA News