Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, owner of construction firms now under scrutiny for ghost flood control projects, categorically told lawmakers that he never had any direct transaction with House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“Baka po nagagamit lang po ng mga pulitiko ang inyong pangalan (Maybe your name was only used by politicians,” Discaya said.
Discaya, appearing under oath at the Infra-Comm hearing Tuesday, opened with a lengthy clarification that sought to distance both Romualdez and Ako-Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, former House Appropriations panel chair, from his company’s projects.
“Gusto ko lang pong linawin sa kanila na wala po akong direktang transaksyon. Hindi po ako nagkaroon ng anumang klaseng transaksyon sa kanila (I just want to make it clear to them that I don’t have a direct transaction. I never had any kind of transaction with them),” he declared.
He explained that the references to Romualdez and Co in his sworn testimony before the Senate were not based on any direct interaction.
Discaya reiterated that while the Speaker’s name was mentioned, he had no proof or knowledge that funds actually went to Romualdez or Co. He went on to explain that the repeated mentions of the names had compelled him to clarify publicly.
“Kaya sa akin mas mabuti na iparating ko kay Speaker at Zaldy Co na wala po akong direct transaction sa inyo (For me, it is better to convey to the Speaker and Zaldy Co that I do not have a direct transaction with them),” Discaya said.
“These are the only words I hear from politicians, who are forcing and insisting to rush the obligation because it will be brought to you. But there was no transaction with them,” he emphasized.
At this point, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima asked him to confirm whether his clarifications pertained to his earlier sworn statement filed at the Senate. Discaya confirmed that his clarifications directly addressed his testimony in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Discaya stood firm, saying that while he was maintaining what was written, it was not proof of direct dealings.
