Discayas 'tell all' before ICI, submit ledgers to DOJ vs 2 particular individuals
Contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya are ready to give "tell-all" accounts on the ongoing probe of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure into the anomalous flood control projects.
Their lawyer, Atty. Cornelio Samaniego told the media on Sept. 30, that the Discayas have already submitted ledgers to the Department of Justice mentioning two particular individuals. On Sept. 30, the couple attended the invesitgation of the ICI in Taguig City for the first time.
"Meron kaming binigay sa DOJ [na ledgers] sa dalawang partikular na tao," Samaniego said. He refused to comment when asked if it's a senator.
"Kina-craft pa namin 'yung final draft ng affidavit kasi ayun ang gusto nila, magkaroon ng narration of facts," he added.
Samaniego also underscored that the couple will give a complete account to the investigation.
"Tell-all na kami, wala nang atrasan 'to. Kasi ang dami na nilang death threats na natatanggap, so pasalamat kami rin sa DOJ at binigyan kami ng protective custody," he said.
Samaniego said the Discayas decided to give "tell-all" accounts after the Sept. 21 rally, where thousands of Filipinos flocked to the streets to protest the corruption in the flood control scandal.
"Pinagbabato 'yung mga bahay nila, sinabing magnanakaw sila. Sabi nga niya mas maganda na mamatay ako na may silbi sa bayan kaysa sa ganito na hindi kami lumalabas," the lawyer said.
Earlier this month, various groups staged a protest outside St. Gerrard Construction in Pasig City, where they threw mud and rocks, as well as spray-painted the words "magnanakaw," "kurakot," and "ikulong" on the walls and gates.
Meanwhile, Samaniego said the Discayas cannot return any of their possessions yet, as all of their bank accounts are already frozen. In the past week, dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer Brice Hernandez turned over luxury cars like a Lamborghini Urus and Ferrari to the ICI.
"Wala kaming isasauli muna kasi na-freeze nga 'yung account e. Hindi pa namin pinag-uusapan 'yan, siyempre financially constraint sila ngayon," Samaniego said.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon previously said that the cars registered under the Discayas are worth P277.25 million. Twenty-eight of the luxury vehicles are under Bureau of Customs custody.
Samaniego: Finger heart gesture was 'misinterpreted'
Meanwhile, Sarah drew the ire of social media users when she flashed a "finger heart" gesture to the press as she entered the DOJ premises. The agency called her out shortly after, saying it was a "sign of insincerity and complacency" and asking her to "behave accordingly."
Samaniego said that the gesture was "misinterpreted."
"Madami namang ibig sabihin 'yung [finger heart]: peace, love... Kung minsan sa media, sa social media, binibigyan ng hindi magandang kahulugan," he explained.
"The mere fact na humarap kami sa Senate, sa House, sa DOJ, and then ICI, we're very sincere. Kaya nga tell-all na tayo," he added.
Flood control mess
The flood control scandal has already sparked leadership changes in both houses of Congress.
Earlier this month, the owners of a construction firm accused nearly 30 House members and DPWH officials of taking cash payments.
The Department of Finance has estimated that the Philippine economy lost up to P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects. Greenpeace has suggested the number is actually closer to P1.025 trillion.
The controversy involving the government's flood control projects began in July as the rains triggered massive flooding in the metro.
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the ICI, which will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.
