Senate detention looms for Curlee Discaya, ex-DPWH engineer Alcantara for alleged lies
Metro Manila, Philippines - Controversial contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II may be detained by the Senate for allegedly lying during the hearing on anomalous flood control projects held Thursday, Sept. 18.
Discaya drew the ire of senators after claiming that his wife, Sarah Discaya, missed the fourth Senate blue ribbon committee hearing due to a heart condition.
However, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who now chairs the committee, read aloud a letter from Sarah Discaya received Sept. 17, in which she asked to be excused from the hearing because of a pre-scheduled “important” meeting with company employees. She noted that some of her employees had traveled long distances, so she could not cancel.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan pointed out the inconsistency in Curlee Discaya’s testimony, accusing him of lying.
“Binabastos mo kami, niloloko mo kami,” Senator Erwin Tulfo said, before moving that Discaya be cited in contempt.
Lacson initially proposed issuing a show cause order instead, but senators grew more frustrated after Discaya cited various conflicting medical conditions.
“Humihingi ako ng pasensya ninyo,” Discaya said.
“Yung misis ko may sakit talaga - may diabetes at hypertension, marami siyang maintenance,” he added.
Senator Risa Hontiveros responded that these were different from the heart condition previously claimed, prompting Tulfo to reiterate the motion for contempt.
The motion was approved without objection.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada described Sarah Discaya’s excuse letter as “totally unacceptable.” She will be issued a show cause order requiring her to explain why she should not be cited in contempt.
Alcantara also cited in contempt
The committee also cited former DPWH Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara in contempt for allegedly lying under oath. Alcantara, who was earlier dismissed over alleged flood control anomalies, denied involvement in ghost projects during the hearing.
He previously admitted signing off on flood control projects without inspection, claiming full trust in his subordinates.
He will join his former subordinate, Brice Hernandez, who is already under Senate detention for allegedly lying during the past hearing.
Subpoena for ex-DPWH Undersecretary
The committee also approved the issuance of a subpoena to former DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral, for skipping the hearing.
Cabral has been accused of involvement in budget insertions.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that Cabral submitted her courtesy resignation two days ago, which he accepted.
However, Senator Rodante Marcoleta said Cabral’s text message to Senate President Tito Sotto, offering to insert items into the 2026 national budget, as “very damning” and moved to compel her to appear at the next hearing.
