MANILA — The Discaya couple named nearly 20 lawmakers from the House of Representatives, along with eight officials from the executive department, in what they alleged was a kickback scheme involving projects awarded to them through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

During the September 8, 2025 continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects, Curlee Discaya stated in a sworn affidavit that DPWH officials approached them, claiming to have access to projects funded by lawmakers. According to him, district engineers, regional directors of the DPWH, and congressional staffers offered projects that would be financed by members of Congress.

He claimed they initially tried to reject the offer by reporting the scheme to the DPWH, but received no response. “Sabi nila, dapat tanggapin namin ang reyalidad na dapat kaming magbayad sa mga mambabatas kung gusto pa naming magpatuloy na magkaroon ng projects sa gobyerno. Kung hindi, binabala nila na matanggal sa listahan ang kumpanya namin at hindi na makakakuha ng kahit anong proyekto,” he explained.

Discaya further stated:

“Paulit ulit kaming ginamit ng mga nasa pwesto sa sistemang ito, wala kaming magawa dahil kung hindi kami makikisama, gagawan nila ng problema ang project na na-award sa amin sa pagitan ng mutual termination o pagkakaroon ng right of way problem na parehong nagdudulot ng hindi matuloy ang implementasyon ng mga proyekto.”

“Matapos naming manalo sa mga bidding, may mga opisyal mula sa DPWH ang lumalapit sa amin para humingi at kumuha ng bahagi niya sa halaga ng proyekto. Ang hinihingi nilang porsyento ay hindi bababa sa sampung porsyento at umaabot pa ng 25% na naging kondisyon upang hindi maipit ang implementasyon ng programa.”

Discaya alleged that the following individuals were involved in the scheme:

Lawmakers:

• Rep. Roman Romulo, Pasig City
• Rep. Jojo Ang, Uswag Ilonggo
• Rep. Michael Vargas, Quezon City
• Rep. Arjo Atayde, Quezon City
• Rep. Nicanor Briones, AGAP Partylist
• Rep. Marcy Teodoro, Marikina City
• Rep. Florida Robes, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
• Rep. Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona, Romblon
• Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr., Laguna
• Rep. Florencio Noel, An Waray Partylist
• Rep. Leody Tarriela, Occidental Mindoro
• Rep. Reynante Uy Arrogancia, Quezon Province
• Rep. Marvin Rillo, Quezon City
• Rep. Teodorico “Nonong” T. Haresco, Aklan
• Rep. Antonieta Eudela, Zamboanga Sibugay
• Rep. Dean Asistio, Caloocan City
• Rep. Marivic Garcia Co-Pilar, Quezon City

Executive Officials:

• Terrence Calatrava, Former Undersecretary, Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas
• Regional Director Eduarte Virgilio, DPWH Region V
• Director Ramon A. Arriola III, Unified Project Management Offices (UPMO)
• District Engineer Henry Alcantara, DPWH Bulacan 1st District
• DPWH Undersecretary Robert Bernardo
• District Engineer Aristotle Ramos, DPWH Metro Manila 1st
• District Engineer Manny Bulusan, DPWH North Manila DEO
• District Engineer Edgardo C. Pingol, DPWH Bulacan Sub-DEO
• District Engineer Michael Rosaria, DPWH Quezon 2nd DEO

Discaya also stated that Rep. Ang said on multiple occasions that House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Rep. Zaldy Co were funding the projects.

The contractor further stated, “Karamihan sa mga kawani ng DPWH na nabanggit sa itaas ay paulit-ulit na binabanggit ang delivery ng pera ay para kay Zaldy Co, na dapat ay at least 25%. Si Cong. Marvin Rillo naman ay ilang beses binabanggit ang pangalan ni Speaker Martin Romualdez bilang kanyang malapit na kaibigan.”

Asked if any senators had requested kickbacks, Discaya responded that there were none.

The Discayas said they are willing to serve as state witnesses in the investigation. They appealed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and to Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Senator Rodante Marcoleta to provide protection and security for their family.

Several of the individuals named immediately denied the Discayas’ allegations.

Romualdez said, “I cannot and will not allow lies and name-dropping to pass unchecked. The claim in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious and nothing more than name-dropping. Let me be clear: I have no involvement. I did not give permission and I did not give my blessing to those kinds of activities.”

“If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent. And if they did that to earn money, they are the scammers and they are the ones who should be accountable for that,” the Speaker added.

Rep. Madrona said he had heard that the Discayas bid on projects in Romblon, but insisted he had no involvement or knowledge of how payments were made. He added, “I strongly deny the statement of Discaya. To my recollection, wala akong project sa kanya, so anong basehan ng sinabi niyang pagbigay niya sa akin.”

For her part, Robes, now mayor of San Jose del Monte, said, “Kung sino man gumagamit ng pangalan ko, mangilabot naman kayo.” She said she would file a libel case against Curlee Discaya.

Teodoro, former mayor of Marikina City, branded Discaya’s remarks as diversionary tactics meant to deflect attention from the real corruption in flood control projects. “Walang katotohanan ang mga paratang ng mga Discaya. Isa lang itong demolition job—a cheap shot para siraan ako,” Teodoro said.

Romulo also denied Discaya’s accusation. “Not true,” he said.

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