Contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya need to follow the example of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez if they want to at least be considered by the government as state witnesses in the flood control projects corruption scandal.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon gave this assessment Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 24 even as the opulent Discayas continue to be endorsed by certain personalities as worthy candidates to the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Suffice it so say that the House Infrastructure Committee overall chairman doesn't agree with this notion. At least not yet.

"Well, tinitindigan ko po yung posisyon ni [Department of Justice] Secretary [Jesus Crispin "Boying"] Remulla na even if we talk about yung pong mga legal requirements para po sa [WPP], I think very important po talaga yung commitment to return, yung pong ilan po sa mga kaperahan o pag-aari," Ridon said.

(Well, I stand by the position of Secretary Remulla that even if we talk about the legal requirements for the WPP, I think the commitment to return some of the money or properties is really very important.)

"Para magpakita po talaga ng good faith na talaga pong makkipagtulungan po tayo dito (It's to show that your intent to cooperate is based on good faith)," he added.

Incidentally, on Wednesday, Hernandez turned over to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) a P30-million Lambhorgini that he supposed gained from massive kickbacks on the anomalous projects.

Last week, he turned over a P12-million GMC Yukon Denali to the same body, which was looking into the controversy.

"I think naipakita na ho ito nung ilang sa mga tinitignan po nating mga pwedeng maging state witness, katulad po ni engineer Brice Hernandez, nagsoli ng sasakyan (I think this has already been demonstrated by some of those we're considering as potential state witnesses, like engineer Brice Hernandez, who returned a vehicle)," Ridon, a lawyer, said.

"So, I think dapat the same requirement can actually be asked of the Discayas para may paikinta mo natin, hindi lang sa ICI, hindi lang ho sa DOJ, kung hindi sa buong bayan na talagang mayroon silang senseridad, na talagang magpangalan nung lahat po nung iba pang mga sangkot. And more importantly, yung mas malalaking mga tao sa likod po ito," he explained.

(So, I think the same requirement can actually be asked of the Discayas so that we can show, not just to the ICI, not just to the DOJ, but to the entire nation that they truly have sincerity, that they are truly willing to name all the other people involved. And more importantly, the bigger individuals behind all of this.)

Asked if the Pasig City-based Discayas should also turn over their luxury vehicles to authorities, Ridon said yes.

"I think kasama po yung no, sa mga pwede mo talagang isauli sa gobyerno para magpakita po nung senseridad sa kanila pong pakikipagtulungan (I think that's among the things that you can really return to the government to show your sincerity in cooperating with them)."