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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Arjo Atayde turns emotional when asked about family's involvement in anomalous flood control projects

Arjo Atayde turns emotional when asked about family's involvement in anomalous flood control projects

Published Nov 25, 2025 10:26 am

At A Glance

  • Actor-turned-politician Arjo Atayde, representative of Quezon City's 1st district, turned emotional as he maintained on Tuesday, Nov. 25, his and his family's innocence in the flood control projects controversy.
Actor-turned-politician Arjo Atayde, representative of Quezon City's 1st district, turned emotional as he maintained on Tuesday, Nov. 25, his and his family's innocence in the flood control projects controversy. 
Implicated by the controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, Atayde arrived at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for the first time to air his side of the story at the hearing, which he requested to be held in executive session or behind closed doors.
Mobbed by reporters for an interview, Atayde turned emotional and took a deep breath when he was asked about his father's involvement in the kickback scheme as his alleged bagman.
"Wala po kaming tinatago. Hindi ako magtatago. Hindi ako iiwas. Hindi ako lilipad ng ibang bansa (We're not hiding anything. I'm not going to hide. I'm not going to fly out of the country). I'm here to thoroughly go through the investigation to fight for my innocence and to..." Atayde said as he held back tears.
Atayde said his attendance to the ICI hearing was made voluntarily and that he was ready to "lay cards on the table".
"I told the people I'll answer at the proper forum, at the proper time. And this is it," he said.
"I don't wanna invalidate the feelings of the people towards the gravity of the situation if I deny. So I have to gather all the evidence backing the allegations against me to prove my innocence," he added.
In September, Atayde already categorically denied the allegation that he benefited from any contractor.
"I have never dealt with them [the Discayas]. Hindi po totoo ang mga akusasyon na ito (these accusations are not true)," he said.
Atayde maintained not only his innocence but also his father's in the anomalous flood control projects. "It's all hearsay," he said.
"Kasi until now, as I said, baka mas mabuti po, bago po magturo eh bigay po muna ang ebidensya laban sakin eh (Because until now, as I said, before even pointing fingers, they should bring evidence against me first)," he said.
"At this point, they haven't even given out against me or my father. And my father is also willing to go through the investigation," he added.
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