Stronghold Insurance Co. Inc. has refuted what it called “misleading and unfounded public statements,” defending the company’s integrity and clarifying the roles of its board of directors and its function in the issuance of surety bonds.

In a statement, Stronghold addressed reports concerning Edna M. Marcoleta, wife of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who was elected as an independent director in February 2024.

Stronghold said that Marcoleta’s appointment was based on her qualifications and that her role is strictly non-executive.

“For the past 65 years in the insurance industry, Stronghold Insurance has always upheld the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all its operations,” the company said.

It stressed its commitment to protecting the public interest "by building trust, ensuring protection, and creating lasting impact in people’s lives."

Regarding Marcoleta’s position, Stronghold emphasized that an independent director does not oversee daily operations. 


“Nevertheless, as an independent director, her role does not involve the management of the company’s operations,” the company clarified. “She likewise does not have any control over the day-to-day operations of Stronghold, much less, any prerogative or control over the issuance of Stronghold's bonds.”

Stronghold, which issues surety bonds required by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for contractors to secure projects, explained that the bonds are made indiscriminately available, subject only to application requirements.

The bond is strictly a security for the contractor’s obligation to the government, and Stronghold is not involved in project execution.

“It is in fact not privy to the contract between the government and the contractor. It has no role during the construction of the project,” Stronghold’s statement read.

The company also directly denied involvement in any anomalous transactions, including links to reported “ghost projects” or the alleged connivance between contractors and the DPWH, specifically referencing spouses Curlee and Cezarah Discaya.

“Accordingly, Stronghold cannot, in any shape or form, be privy to the irregularities and possible connivance between the contractors and the DPWH central office and districts regarding the so-called 'ghost projects' and other anomalous flood control projects,” the company stated.

It added that the Discaya spouses have no ownership or control over Stronghold, calling any assumption of benefit from Stronghold’s transactions by the spouses “illogical.”

The statement was signed by Stronghold Chairman Emmanuel F. Dooc and President Romulo I. Delos Reyes, Jr.