The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has announced that the Discaya couple, Pacifico and Cezarah Rowena, will no longer cooperate with the fact-finding body.
The couple attended the ICI session on Wednesday (October 14) as part of the ongoing investigation into their alleged involvement in the questionable flood control projects across the country.
However, ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka said the Discayas declined to provide further information.
“They invoked their rights against self-incrimination. They will no longer participate in the investigation with the ICI,” Hosaka said.
The Discayas have served as resource persons before the ICI on September 30 and October 7.
Their companies are among the top 15 contractors that received multibillion-peso allocations of flood control budget under the Department of Public Works Highways.
St. Gerrard Construction is owned by Sarah Discaya, a controversial and unsuccessful Pasig City mayoral candidate in the midterm elections, who was recently exposed for her extravagant lifestyle.
Eight other companies linked to the couple have been barred from participating in public biddings for government projects amid various allegations.
The Discayas have been accused of delivering substandard or even nonexistent projects and are also facing tax evasion charges before the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
The couple also faced criticism from netizens after displaying at least 40 luxury cars with questionable papers, according to the Bureau of Customs.
