The Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday that it will summon the solons implicated by controversial business couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya in the anomalous flood control projects.
In a press briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla noted that the information shared by the Discayas will still undergo further verification and evaluation.
“We still have remarks to resolve… We will subpoena the people they pointed out, of course we have to validate all the information. Many of these are the congressmen’s cases. We are validating all the information now and we will try to subpoena them or to have them subpoenaed by the NBI also,” he said in Filipino.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has the power to summon the lawmakers to seek for their comment and if they fail to respond, a subpoena may be issued.
The Discayas tagged about 18 House lawmakers as recipients of multi-million kickbacks.
Meanwhile, the DOJ chief visited the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) for the first time to coordinate and collaborate efforts on the ongoing investigation of the country’s flood control anomalies.
According to Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano, Remulla vowed transparency of documents and evidence the DOJ obtained in relation to the investigation.
“The agreements were simple: the independence of the commission needs to be respected and the DOJ must aid and assist in the efforts of the ICI,” said Clavano.
Remulla clarified that there will be no conflict in the filing of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) case with the Ombudsman because the commission has the option to go directly to the Ombudsman or to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for referral of the case.
“There is no conflict because they can go straight to the Ombudsman, they can go to the DOJ also for the other complaints but mostly with the Ombudsman,” he said.
The efforts made by the ICI now is considered an initiative from the private sector so the investigation being conducted will not be duplicated, according to him.
Discayas arrived at the DOJ for the continuation of the evaluation and assessment of their testimonies in the country’s flood control anomalies.
Sarah refused to comment on the details of the meeting. Yesterday, the DOJ found her heart sign and the remarks as a “sign of insincerity and complacency”.
Although considered protected witnesses, the Discayas are not yet considered state witnesses.
