Photo credit: Senate PH

In a dramatic turn during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's third hearing on alleged flood control anomalies, contractors Pacifico F. Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya presented a sworn statement painting themselves as victims of a widespread extortion scheme. The couple, who own St. Gerrard Construction, claimed they were left with no other choice but to pay off politicians and government officials to secure and keep their projects.

In their sworn affidavit, the Discayas detailed the systemic corruption they encountered. They alleged that the people in power repeatedly used them within this system. "We had no choice but to go along with it," Pacifico stated in his sworn statement, "otherwise they would create problems and the projects awarded to us would not go through."

The couple recounted being pressured to give a percentage of their projects, reportedly between 10% and 25%, as a condition for the contracts' smooth implementation. The payments were allegedly given in cash, with each transaction documented by a voucher in a ledger indicating the date of receipt.

The sworn statement listed numerous individuals they claimed demanded money. These names included:

Lawmakers

• Terrence Calatrava - Former Undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas of the Philippines
• Rep. Roman Romulo of Pasig
• Rep. Jojo Ang of Uswag Ilonggo Partylist
• Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas of Quezon City
• Rep. Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde of Quezon City
• Rep. Nicanor "Nikki" Briones of AGAP Partylist
• Rep. Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro of Marikina
• Rep. Florida "Rida" Robes of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan
• Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of Romblon
• Rep. Benjamin "Benjie" Agarao Jr.
• Rep. Florencio Gabriel "Bem" Noel of An-Waray Partylist
• Rep. Leody "Odie" Tarriela
• Rep. Reynante "Reynan" Arrogancia of Quezon
• Rep. Marvin Rillo of Quezon City
• Rep. Teodorico "Teodoro" Haresco Jr. of Aklan
• Rep. Antonieta Eudela and her husband, from Zamboanga Sibugay
• Rep. Dean Asistio of Caloocan
• Rep. Marivic Co Pillar of Quezon City
• Arturo N. Atayde - father of Rep. Arjo Atayde

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Officials

• Regional Director Eduarte Virgilio of DPWH Region Y
• Director Ramon A. 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 Edgardo C. Pingol of DPWH Bulacan Sub-Deo
• District Engineer Michael Rosaria of DPWH Quezon 2nd DEO

According to the Discayas, District Engineer Aristotle Ramos of the DPWH Metro Manila 1st district and an unidentified person named Angelita Garucha were responsible for collecting money for Congressman Romulo. The couple also alleged that Rep. Marvin Rillo and his associates were responsible for the collection of money, with Rillo reportedly referencing Speaker Martin Romualdez as a close friend.

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Senator Rodante Marcoleta noted that the Discayas could be considered state witnesses, as long as they are not found to be the most guilty party in the scheme. The couple, in their sworn statement, publicly appealed to the committee and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for security and protection for their family.