FOLLOWING the third Senate Blue Ribbon panel hearing, contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Sarah Discaya exposed lawmakers and DPWH officials who are allegedly linked to the flood control controversy. 

Curlee Discaya named the alleged officials who solicited money from his firm after winning flood control project bids. These named officials allegedly got a kickback ranging from 10% to 25% in projects:

• Caloocan 3rd District Representative Dean Asistio
• Quezon City 1st District Representative Arjo Atayde 
• Quezon City 3rd District Representative Reynante Arrogancia
• Quezon City 4th District Representative Marvin Rillo 
• Quezon City 5th District Representative Patrick Michael Vargas
• Quezon City 6th District Representative Marivic Co-Pilar 
• Pasig Representative Roman Romulo
• Marikina Representative Marcy Teodoro
• San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Representative, Florida Robes
• Laguna 4th District Representative Benjamin Agarao Jr. 
• Occidental Mindoro Representative Leody “Odie” Tarriela
• Romblon Representative Eleandro Jesus Madrona Zamboanga Sibugay 2nd District Representative Antonieta Eudela
• AGAP Party-list Representative Nicanor Briones
• USWAG Ilonggo Party-list Representative Jojo Ang
• Former Aklan 2nd District Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr.
• Former Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Usec. Terence Calatrava

Meanwhile, the names of the alleged DPWH officials who are involved in the flood control project anomalies are:

• Regional Director Eduarte Virgilio of DPWH Region 5
• Director Ramon Arriola III of Unified Project Management Offices (UPMO)
• District Engineer Henry Alcantara of DPWH Bulacan 1st
• Undersecretary Robert Bernardo-
• District Engineer Aristotle Ramos of DPWH Metro Manila 1st
• District Engineer Manny Bulusan of DPWH North Manila DEO
• District Engineer Edgargo Pingol of DPWH Bulacan sub-DEO
• District Engineer Michael Rosaria of DPWH Quezon 2nd DEO

Curlee Discaya further claimed that most of the DPWH officials who are named had repeatedly mentioned the repeated money deliveries for Zaldy Co and that they should be at least 25 percent. 

“Karamihan sa mga kawani ng DPWH na nabanggit sa itaas ay paulit-ulit na binabanggit ang delivery ng pera ay para kay Zaldy Co, na dapat ay at least 25 percent,” Curlee told the blue ribbon committee. 

Curlee further alleged that Cong. Marvin Rillo mentioned the name of Speaker Martin Romualdez as his close friend. 

“Sinasabi pa ni Cong. Rillo na lahat ng kanyang request para sa pondo ay galing pa mismo sa unprogrammed funds at insertions na inaaprubahan ni Speaker,” he added. 

‘Fair bidding process’ 

In the senate hearing held on September 8, Sarah Discaya claimed that their construction business, St. Gerrard Construction, had won projects through fair bidding processes.

Following these wins, St. Gerrard Construction slowly began to be recognized by district engineers and regional directors of DPWH, prompting these officials to offer them projects that are said to be funded by the legislators. 

“Noong nagsimulang makilala ang St. Gerrard Construction, unting-unti nang nagsilapitan ang mga district engineer at mga regional director ng DPWH at mga chief of staff ng mga mambabatas na nag-aalok ng mga proyekto na sinasabi nilang pondo ng mambabatas.” 

Sarah then stated that they reported the incidents to the Department of Public Works and Highways, with no success. 

“Hindi namin ginusto kailanman na mapasama sa ganitong sistema, pero kailangan namin magpatuloy para sa pamilya at mga empleyado namin. Dahil sa aming paglaban sa mga tiwaling bidding, maraming beses na naming naranasan na ma-disqualify ng bids and awards committee ng DPWH na hawak ng mga mambabatas na nagpondo sa proyekto,” Sarah said.

Sarah then added that since their business is in jeopardy as it continues to drown in debt, they are forced to participate in the anomaly even if it’s against their will. 

Discayas offers to be state witness

Following the events, the Discayas later offered to be state witnesses to further expose those who are involved and responsible for the flood control anomalies. 

Curlees stated that they are willing to testify and expose the happenings within the House of Representatives, DPWH, and everything else to do what is right.  

The Discayas later appealed to Marcoleta and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to protect their family, to which Marcoleta offered and is subject to the approval of Senate President Francis Escudero. 

Romualdez and lawmakers deny involvement

After being named by the Discaya couple, various lawmakers denied their involvement in the controversial flood control anomalies. 

In a press statement by the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez, he claimed that he had never accepted nor will ever accept a bribe from anybody. 

“The claim in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping. Let me be clear: Wala akong kinalaman, wala akong pahintulot, at wala akong basbas sa mga ganyang gawain.” the speaker said.  

Romualdez later pointed out that it was the Congress that debates and approves the budget and doesn’t release funds nor implement projects. 

He further claims that this is “the sole duty of the Executive and agencies like the DPWH.” 

“And I say this with all honesty: I have never, and I will never, accept a bribe from anybody. Walang sinuman ang kayang manuhol sa akin. Alam iyan ng lahat ng House Members. I am self-made, and I have been blessed with the trust of the Filipino people. I do not need—and will never allow myself—to be corrupted by money that does not belong to me.” 

In an Instagram post, Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde later denied his involvement on the flood control kickbacks.  

Courtesy: Instagram.com / @arjoatayde 

Rep. Macelino Teodoro also denied his involvement in the kickback, stating that the allegation was part of “diversionary tactics” to divert public attention from DPWH anomalies after reporting the proposed 2026 project funding that was already completed. 

He further claimed that Discaya’s claim was nothing but a “cheap shot” to ruin his reputation. He also added that the couple had secured projects around his district before he was elected as congressman. 

“Wala akong kinalaman doon, dahil hindi pa ako congressman noon. Kaya malinaw na ang mga akusasyong ito ay mali, malisyoso, at walang ibang layunin kundi sirain ang pangalan ko at ang tiwala ng mga taga-Marikina sa akin.”