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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pangilinan doubts Discayas are qualified to be state witnesses

Pangilinan doubts Discayas are qualified to be state witnesses

Published Sep 19, 2025 01:01 pm

At A Glance

  • The Discayas have been seeking to be placed under the state's Witness Protection Program with Sen. Rodante Marcoleta supporting their bid to be state witnesses.


Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has expressed doubts that the contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya are qualified to be state witnesses in the ongoing investigation into the anomalous flood control projects.

Pangilinan pointed out the inaccuaries in their testimonies itself during Thursday’s hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee; the panel cited Mr. Discaya in contempt for lying about the whereabouts of his wife.

Mr. Discaya had told the panel that his wife would not be able to attend the September 18 hearing because of health reasons.

But Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said his wife Sarah sent a letter to the committee, but when it was read before the panel, Sarah said she would not be able to attend the hearing because she had an “important meeting” with her employees to explain the problem that their company is facing.

The couple has been seeking to be placed under the state’s Witness Protection Program with Sen. Rodante Marcoleta supporting their bid to be state witnesses.

Pangilinan, however, said Mr. Discaya has been evasive when asked about the contracts their companies entered into with the goernment from 2016 to 2022 but had previously provided information about their projects from 2022 up to present.

That is why, Pangilinan said he is opposed to the idea of making the Discayas state witnesses in the flood control mess.

“Baka sakali habang siya ay naka-contempt ay makapag-isip siya ng mas maganda at maisabi nya na yung buong katotohanan (Maybe while he is cited in contempt, he would be able to think better and testify about the whole truth), yung the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” he stressed.

As a prerequisite, Pangilinan said the couple should present first a complete and unaltered account of the depth of their involvement in the irregularities in the flood control projects.

After which, he said, the Department of Justice (DOJ) should rigorously verify the statements and supporting evidence presented by the Discayas to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Related Tags

Sarah Discaya Curlee Discaya flood control corruption KIKO PANGILINAN
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