Ombudsman Remulla says Discaya spouses next to be charged in court
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that contractor spouses Curlee and Sarah Discaya are next to be charged in court with criminal offenses in the “anomalous” flood control projects.
Criminal cases have been filed before the Sandiganbayan against resigned congressman Zaldy Co, directors of Sunwest Corporation, and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Region IV-B (DPWH-IV-B) in the P289.5 million project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
It is expected that the Sandiganbayan will issue arrest orders once it finds probable cause on the criminal charges of graft and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.
"Ang tingin ko baka sumunod dito Discaya cases, (I think the Discaya cases might be next)," Remulla told journalists during a press briefing at the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 19.
Curlee and Sarah Discaya, who own the construction company St. Timothy, are the subject of several flood-control investigations being conducted by the Ombudsman, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), and Commission on Audit (COA).
Remulla said there are at least three cases involving the contractor spouses that have been submitted for resolution.
He added that the Discaya spouses will most likely face graft and malversation cases like those filed against Co in the Naujan, Oriental Mindoro project.
When asked about the former and incumbent senators who have been linked to the flood control scam, Remulla said that "they will have their turn pag meron ebidensya (if there is evidence)."
He said the cases involving the senators will undergo the PI stage next week, and the senators will be subpoenaed.
Meanwhile, Remulla said that they are planning to ask Congress for extra divisions in the Sandiganbayan, which currently has seven divisions.
This is for continuous trial, and Remulla said that they want to file flood control cases “simultaneously and continuously.”