NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
No Christmas Break Behind Bars For Curlee Discaya And 3 Former DPWH Engineers
Congress FILE
There will be no Christmas furlough for contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and three former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers currently detained at the Senate over the controversial flood control project scandal.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Tuesday that the request for holiday leave was denied due to serious security concerns. Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigating the case, said Senate President Vicente Sotto III approved his recommendation outright.
According to Lacson, allowing the four out—even temporarily—would be risky, especially with arrest warrants expected to be issued soon.
“I recommended that their Christmas furlough be denied mainly for security reasons,” Lacson explained, noting public statements from both Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that warrants could come out before Christmas. “The risk of escape becomes greater. And frankly, it doesn’t make sense to grant leave if warrants are imminent.”
The detainees include Discaya and former DPWH engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and Henry Alcantara. They have been held at the Senate after being cited in contempt by the Blue Ribbon Committee for refusing to cooperate with the probe. Lacson added that Alcantara even sought holiday leave through the Department of Justice, but this, too, was not entertained.
What the Senate will allow, however, is limited. The four may attend Mass within the Senate premises, and their families are permitted to visit—but nothing beyond that.
“That’s the most that we can allow given the circumstances,” Lacson said, echoing Sotto’s stance.
Beyond the furlough issue, Lacson also pressed the Office of the Ombudsman to follow through on its promise to file charges against those found responsible, particularly before the Sandiganbayan. He said swift action would send a strong message that corruption will not go unpunished.
Lacson added that this should also serve as a warning to officials who remain unfazed by public outrage over corruption, especially as scrutiny continues over the proposed 2026 national budget.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Tuesday that the request for holiday leave was denied due to serious security concerns. Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigating the case, said Senate President Vicente Sotto III approved his recommendation outright.
According to Lacson, allowing the four out—even temporarily—would be risky, especially with arrest warrants expected to be issued soon.
“I recommended that their Christmas furlough be denied mainly for security reasons,” Lacson explained, noting public statements from both Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that warrants could come out before Christmas. “The risk of escape becomes greater. And frankly, it doesn’t make sense to grant leave if warrants are imminent.”
The detainees include Discaya and former DPWH engineers Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and Henry Alcantara. They have been held at the Senate after being cited in contempt by the Blue Ribbon Committee for refusing to cooperate with the probe. Lacson added that Alcantara even sought holiday leave through the Department of Justice, but this, too, was not entertained.
What the Senate will allow, however, is limited. The four may attend Mass within the Senate premises, and their families are permitted to visit—but nothing beyond that.
“That’s the most that we can allow given the circumstances,” Lacson said, echoing Sotto’s stance.
Beyond the furlough issue, Lacson also pressed the Office of the Ombudsman to follow through on its promise to file charges against those found responsible, particularly before the Sandiganbayan. He said swift action would send a strong message that corruption will not go unpunished.
Lacson added that this should also serve as a warning to officials who remain unfazed by public outrage over corruption, especially as scrutiny continues over the proposed 2026 national budget.
Dec 23, 2025
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