Discayas no longer cooperating in flood control probe - ICI

Metro Manila, Philippines - Contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya – who admitted owning owning multiple companies bagging flood control contracts through payoffs – will no longer cooperate with the body investigating alleged corruption on infrastructure deals.

In a press briefing, Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) executive director Brian Hosaka said the couple invoked their right against self-incrimination upon attending the closed-door inquiry on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

He said the couple was under the impression that the ICI would recommend them as state witnesses once they help investigators.

Hosaka said the Discaya camp took notice of a commission member’s televised interview where he shared personal thoughts on turning state witness.

“I believe that they said there was a statement by Commissioner (Rogelio) Singson regarding his own personal take…he sees no witness or no person who may be recommended by the commission as state witness. However, I believe, and I saw the interview, that he qualified that it was his own and not by the commission,” he said.

Hosaka said it is too early for the investigating body to recommend anyone as a state witness – especially that the law requires for someone to qualify as such, it should not be the most guilty person in the case.

Under the executive order that established the ICI, part of the commission’s functions is to recommend a state witness to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in cases “where there is a need to utilize a person as a state witness to ensure that the ends of justice are fully served.”

Hosaka said Discaya’s withdrawal from the ICI probe will not impact the investigation.

“Kung ano man ang nasabi nila at nasabi ng ibang testigo [whatever they said and that of other witnesses] will be sufficient enough for us to continue our investigation, build our cases, and file the necessary recommendations to the ombudsman,” he said.

In a statement, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the Discayas were misguided and that they have no choice but to cooperate with the government.

During a Senate inquiry, the Discayas implicated high-ranking lawmakers and public work officials in the flood control mess, accusing them of receiving huge kickbacks from infrastructure deals.

More people on lookout order

Meanwhile, the DOJ has approved the ICI request to place 16 more people on an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO).

An ILBO is an instruction to monitor the travel of certain people in connection with an ongoing investigation, in this case the multibillion-peso flood control fund mess.

Hosaka did not divulge the specific link of the people named but said they “might have information with regard to the ongoing investigation.”

The personalities included former Caloocan Rep. Mitch Cagayon-Uy who was accused of multimillion-peso budget insertions for flood control projects.

Also on the lookout order was Art Atayde, father of Quezon City. Rep. Arjo Atayde, who was also tagged in the alleged pocketing of public funds.

The full list is as follows:

+ Former Rep. Mitch Cagayon-Uy

+ Arturo ‘Art’ Atayde

+ Alvin Tan

+ Bong Marasigan

+Elmer de Leon

+ Ed Fuentebella

+ Johnny Santos

+ John Mary Vianney Parago

+ Alvin Mariano

+ Ryan Uy

+ Darryl Recio

+ Nestor Venturina

+ Benjie Tocol

+ District Engr. Aristotle Ramos

+ District Engr. Michael Rosaria

+ Engr. Angelita Garucha

The DOJ has earlier approved the ICI request to place over 30 personalities on a lookout order, including former congressional leaders, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Sen. Chiz Escudero.