Photo credit: Senate PH

MANILA — The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects took a significant turn on Friday after Sarah and Curlee Discaya returned to the hearing carrying the alleged ledger they had long been questioned about.

The couple arrived under the escort of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, bringing with them what they claim is a record of dates, names, and amounts supposedly paid to lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials involved in the controversial projects.

Earlier in the day, Curlee Discaya told senators he had been unable to retrieve the ledger due to weeks of detention and the absence of a formal request from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) that would have allowed him temporary release. “Hindi rin po sila gumawa ng sulat sa Senate po, yung ICI,” he said.

The committee later granted the Discayas temporary leave from the hearing to locate the document. Their return with the ledger marks a crucial development in the probe, which has repeatedly referenced the document as a key piece of potential evidence.

Friday’s session — the seventh so far — also heard expanded testimony on the alleged “commitment” and kickback scheme said to influence project approvals and fund releases. Senators said the ledger will now undergo scrutiny to determine its authenticity and relevance to the accusations raised throughout the inquiry.

Lawmakers noted that the document could either strengthen the claims made against certain officials or raise new questions about the credibility of the witnesses.