The Manila Times
(UPDATE) ARRESTED contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II is prepared to identify more than 150 persons involved in a P53.9-million flood control scam, his lawyer said Monday, as authorities confirmed that nine of the 11 suspects charged in the case are now in government custody. Lawyer Cornelio Samaniego told reporters that Discaya, who faces non-bailable charges of graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents, spent nearly nine months at the Senate Detention Facility compiling and documenting the names of his alleged cohorts. “There are big fish,” Samaniego said, declining to elaborate or reveal whether senior government officials are among those on the list. The lawyer said Discaya himself would disclose the names when given the opportunity, explaining that his client had not done so at a previous hearing because the proceeding was scheduled on short notice, leaving him little time to recall the names he had documented. “He had time to reflect during his detention and gradually recalled the names. We will wait for him to disclose them,” Samaniego said. Transfer and arrest Discaya was transferred Monday to the Bulacan Provincial Jail after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla supervised the return of arrest warrants to Regional Trial Court Branch 20 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Remulla confirmed that nine of the 11 charged individuals are now detained, while manhunt operations are underway for the two remaining fugitives — identified as Ernesto Galang and Lorenzo Pagtalunan. “As of now, nine are already in custody. Pacifico Discaya was picked up at 7 a.m. He was fetched from the Senate and then brought here for inquest proceedings,” Remulla told reporters. The others in custody are Merg Jaron Caparas Laus, Brice Ericson Diaz Hernandez, Jaypee De Leon Mendoza, Norberto De Leon Santos, Juanito Coronel Mendoza, Floralyn Yutuc Simbulan, Ma. Roma Angeline Discaya Rimando, and Cezarah Rowena Cruz Discaya. The accused face charges of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code, stemming from the alleged misuse of government funds earmarked for flood control projects. Remulla said warrants against Discaya, Laus and Santos have been returned to the court, with the three awaiting commitment orders to determine where they will be detained while the case proceeds. “The objective is to make sure that everyone named in the case answers the charges filed against them,” he said. Bail bid Samaniego said the defense would seek bail, arguing that the prosecution’s evidence is not strong enough to sustain the non-bailable charges against his client. “Even in non-bailable cases, the court may grant bail if the evidence of guilt is not strong,” the lawyer said. Samaniego added that Discaya was saddened by his continued detention despite having cooperated with authorities and exposed alleged irregularities within the Department of Public Works and Highways. He said his client is prepared to face the charges. Turnover to the police The Senate on Monday turned over contractor Discaya to the Philippine National Police. The PNP served on Discaya the warrant of arrest issued by the Bulacan Regional Trial Court (RTC) where he, and his wife Sarah, face graft and malversation charges for their alleged involvement in an anomalous flood control project in the province. Discaya had been under Senate custody since September 2025 after being cited in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for not cooperating with its investigation on the flood control fund scandal. Discaya’s lawyer, Cornelio Samaniego, said his client was disappointed. “He didn’t know that by saying the truth, he’ll be the one who landed in jail.” Samaniego said Discaya denied the allegation that he gave kickbacks from flood control projects to some politicians. Some people extorted money from him, he said. “He did not give kickbacks. He was asked to give,” Samaniego said. The Office of the Ombudsman on June 4 filed graft and malversation charges against the Discaya couple and some local public works officials for alleged irregularities in a flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan. In a press briefing following the filing of charges before the Bulacan RTC, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the transaction “resulted in unwarranted benefits amounting to P53 million” for the Discayas’ construction firm. “The findings of the Ombudsman reveal an utter and flagrant violation for government accounting and auditing regulations. Specifically, investigators discovered that payment for the project’s first billing was released despite an unapproved disbursement voucher,” Clavano said.
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