Mayor Vico: Discayas threatening ex-employees, blackmailing solons to avoid inclusion in 'ledger'
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said contractor spouses Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya are allegedly threatening their former employees who may testify against them and blackmailing lawmakers and seeking payment to avoid their inclusion in the so-called “ledger” of government officials involved in the anomalous flood control projects.
Sarah Discaya and several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Occidental were charged by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2022 for graft and malversation in connection with the alleged P96.5-million “ghost” flood control project. Curlee Discaya, meanwhile, is detained at the Senate on a contempt citation.
Discaya’s transfer to Cebu on Saturday was due to the arrest warrants issued by the designated Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 27. She had to be brought to Cebu, as graft cases are raffled to specific courts.
In his social media post, the mayor shared his thoughts on Discaya’s arrest, saying that the best thing the couple can do now is reflect, develop a conscience, and show remorse. However, he noted that it does not appear they are sorry, citing inconsistent statements and continued wrongful acts.
He said some people told him that the couple is continuing to intimidate their former employees.
“Ilan na rin ang nag-kwento sa akin na tinatakot pa rin nila ang mga dati nilang empleyado para hindi tumestigo laban sa kanila. Blackmail (Several people have told me that they continue to threaten their former employees to prevent them from testifying against them. It is blackmail),” he said.
Without revealing their identities, Sotto added that two congressmen told him the Discayas asked them for cash in exchange for not being included in the “ledger.”
“Gumagawa pa rin sila ng kasamaan. Dalawang congressman na ang nagkwento sakin na humihingi sila ng pera—cash kapalit ng hindi pagsama sa kanila listahan o doon sa ‘ledger’ (They continue to do wrong. Two congressmen have told me that they are asking for cash in exchange for not being included in a list or in the ledger),” he added.
Sotto also said that while Discaya’s arrest is a good start, more people need to be held accountable.