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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Asistio says he has no 'bagman', only an infrastructure consultant

Asistio says he has no 'bagman', only an infrastructure consultant

Published Nov 27, 2025 01:22 pm
Caloocan 3rd district Rep. Dean Asistio said the individual claimed by contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya to be his "bagman" was actually his office's infrastructure consultant.
In the affidavit he submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Asistio denied the accusation hurled against him by the Discayas after the couple claimed that he was among the lawmakers who received kickbacks from government's infrastructure projects.
The Discayas, in their Sinumpaang Salaysay (sworn statement) dated Sept. 23, claimed they were in touch with Mike Pacubas, "who had been receiving a parking fee, and was a staff (tao) of Cong. Dean Asistio".
Asistio said the couple's allegations were "most unfounded, baseless, malicious and nothing but pure lies".
The solon said he "never asked or received money or its equivalent from Pacifico 'Curlee' Felizario Discaya II and Cezarah 'Sarah' Discaya or from anybody [in] their behalf."
"I repudiate the malevolent and evil accusations of the Spouses Discayas. It is to be stressed that I do not have a bagman and that Mr. Mike Pacubas is never a bagman," he said.
"Mr. Pacubas previously holds a position as consultant under my office. His only task was to verify and monitor whether all the infrastructure projects of the DPWH within 3rd District of Caloocan City are done timely and accordingly," he added.
Asistio attended ICI's hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 25, after his name was dragged into the issue of anomalous flood control projects by the Discayas. He is under the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) of the Department of Justice.
His three-paged affidavit which mostly contained denials of the Discayas' allegations was released by ICI to the media upon his approval. He was the first resource person who expressed willingness to release his affidavit.
Asistio said he only learned from the Discayas' Sinumpaang Salaysay that they were the owners of construction firms St. Gerard Construction, Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corporation, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, St. Mathew General Contractors and Development Corporation, Amethyst Horizon Builders General Contractor and Development Corporation, Elite  General Contractors and Development Corporation, Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc.
Asistio told reporters on Tuesday that he only met Curlee Discaya once during an awarding ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, where he was an awardee.
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