Ombudsman, solons slam Curlee Discaya's 'robbery' comment on restitution
Government officials have frowned upon contractor Curlee Discaya's pronouncements about how he felt "robbed" when asked to return money to be put under the Witness Protection Program.
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Jan. 19, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta asked Discaya what the Department of Justice told him and his wife, Sarah Discaya, to do to be admitted to the WPP amid the flood control probe.
"Your Honor, kung magkano po ang ire-restitute po muna namin… Ako po, hindi ko po masabi kung magkano po kasi para sa akin po, parang kami po ang nanakawan,” Discaya said.
“Parang ibig sabihin, parang modern day na pagnanakaw. Ibig sabihin, ‘yung nakaw ba, siya pa magbibigay ng pera doon sa ninakawan niya?"
The remarks drew criticism from officials, including Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who was present during the hearing.
"Muntik na ako mahulog sa silya ko," she said in an interview with reporters Doris Bigornia and Robert Mano. "Sa tingin ko, talagang hindi na tinatablan ng hiya ang mga Discaya."
"Umabot na tayo sa punto na sila pa daw ang nanakawan. Talagang wow! Na hold-up na nga tayo, magsosorry pa pala tayo sa holdaper."
Meanwhile, Prosecutor-General Richard Fadullon was quick to dismiss Discaya's claim.
“Ang pinag-uusapan po dito, bago man lang makapagsabi ng ganon, kailan munang makita kung ano ang gusto at kayang sabihin at patunayan ni Mr. Discaya at ni Mrs. Discaya doon sa kanilang salaysay," he said.
"Pero hindi po sila nakikipag-ugnayan sa department kaya hindi po sila mabigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon at hindi po ma-process ang kanilang application,” he added, citing an earlier refusal to cooperate by the Discaya couple when they were initially considered "protected witnesses" by the DOJ.
Several government officials have also shared their sentiments on Discaya's remark.
"Medyo makapal naman talaga mulha nitong si Curlee Discaya. Eh kitang kita namin ang mga ebidensya laban sa kanya." Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon told reporters.
"'Yung asawa niya nakakulong na, harapin nila 'yung mga kaso tapos ibalik ang pera ng mga kababayan natin," he added.
"Mali at malaking kalokohan na tawaging 'pagnanakaw' ang pagbabalik ng 'ninakaw," Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano commented.
"Ang taumbayan ang unang ninakawan. Ang pagsauli ng pera sa gobyerno ay hindi pangingikil, ito ay pananagutan," he added.
Curlee is still in Senate detention after being cited for contempt by the Senate panel for allegedly lying during one of its hearings on the flood control issue.
On the other hand, Sarah is being held at Lapu-Lapu City Jail in Cebu after she and eight co-accused were arrested on Dec. 18, 2025 in relation to a P96.5-million Davao Occidental “ghost” flood control project.
She pleaded not guilty during her arraignment for the graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of commercial documents charges.