Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and officials of the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday rejected contractor Curlee Discaya’s claim that he was “robbed” after being asked to return funds as a condition for possible admission to the government’s Witness Protection Program.
“That’s audacious,” Dizon said, citing the evidence against Discaya and telling reporters that authorities have clearly documented the alleged wrongdoing.
He criticized Discaya for portraying himself as a victim despite facing serious accusations.
The public works chief also urged Discaya and his detained wife, Sarah Discaya, to face the cases filed against them and return the money allegedly taken, which he said belonged to the public.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano echoed the criticism, saying it was wrong to describe restitution as robbery, noting that when funds meant for flood control projects disappeared, public safety was also compromised.
Clavano said the Filipino people were the first victims, adding that returning government money is not extortion but a matter of accountability. He described claims to the contrary as misleading and irresponsible.
Dizon made the remarks after appearing before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday to testify in the bail hearing of nine Department of Public Works and Highways officials from Mimaropa.
The public works secretary said he was confident the anti-graft court would uphold the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, citing allegations that the project was substandard and the result of collusion among a private contractor, a former lawmaker, and DPWH officials to misuse public funds.
Senator Risa Hontiveros meanwhile challenged controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya to prove their willingness to cooperate with authorities by complying with the Senate’s order to submit records of their flood control projects from 2016 to 2022.
“If the Discaya couple wants to show that they are willing to cooperate with the government and disclose what they know, they should now comply with the Senate’s nearly four-month-old order to submit records of their projects from 2016 to 2022,” Hontiveros said.
During the latest Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged flood control scam, Curlee Discaya complained of “modern-day robbery” after he was allegedly asked to return ill-gotten money as part of their failed application for the Witness Protection Program.
Hontiveros, however, said the couple should stop portraying themselves as victims, noting that they have been ignoring even Senate orders, as they have yet to submit records, including financial ledgers, covering flood control projects from 2016 to 2022.
“The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee ordered them on September 25, 2025 to turn over their records, and Curlee Discaya said under oath that they would comply. It is now 2026, and even after follow-ups by the committee, the Discayas have submitted nothing. They agreed quickly back then, but now there are many excuses,” she said.
Hontiveros explained that the committee is seeking the 2016 to 2022 records after Sarah Discaya admitted under oath that the couple began securing flood control contracts in 2016.
“Based on the committee’s data, Discaya companies obtained nearly P207 billion in government contracts from 2016 to 2025, which is why it is important to examine all of these,” she added.
While Senator Ping Lacson, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, had committed to addressing issues involving the Discayas’ records, Hontiveros reminded the couple that they cannot continue to ignore the Senate’s lawful order.
“I do not understand why the Discayas keep passing on to others the responsibility to comply with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s order,” Hontiveros said.
