MANILA, Philippines — Contractors Pacifico Discaya and Sara Rowena Discaya have accused several lawmakers and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of participating in an alleged kickback scheme involving government flood control projects.
Testifying before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the Discaya couple claimed that construction firms were required to give up to 25 percent of project funds to certain members of Congress and DPWH officials in exchange for the approval and release of contracts.
According to the couple, the payments were made in cash and recorded only in private ledgers, without official receipts. They described the arrangement as a “normal system” within DPWH contracting processes.
Among those named during the hearing were House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Representative Zaldy Co, along with several other current and former lawmakers:
- Roman Romulo (Pasig Lone District)
- James “Jojo” Ang (Uswag Ilonggo Partylist)
- Patrick Michael Vargas (Quezon City 5th District)
- Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde (Quezon City 1st District)
- Nicanor Briones (Agap Partylist)
- Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro (Marikina 1st District)
- Florida “Rida” Robes (former representative, now mayor of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan)
- Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon Lone District)
- Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao Jr. (Laguna 4th District)
- Florencio Gabriel “Bem” Noel (former An-Waray Partylist representative)
- Leody “Odie” Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro Lone District)
- Reynante Arrogancia (Quezon 3rd District)
- Marvin Rillo (Quezon City 4th District)
- Teodorico “Teodoro” Haresco Jr. (former Aklan 2nd District representative)
- Antonieta Eudela (former Zamboanga Sibugay 2nd District representative)
- Dean Asistio (Caloocan City 3rd District)
- Marivic Co-Pillar (Quezon City 6th District)
The couple also cited several DPWH officials allegedly involved:
- Eduarte Virgilio (Region V)
- Ramon Arriola III (Unified Project Management Office)
- Henry Alcantara (Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office)
- Robert Bernardo (Undersecretary)
- Aristotle Ramos (Metro Manila 1st District Engineering Office – Pasig City)
- Manny Bulusan (North Manila District Engineering Office)
- Edgardo C. Pingol (Bulacan Sub-District Engineering Office)
- Michael Rosaria (DPWH Quezon 2nd District Engineering Office)
Despite the alleged reduction in funds due to kickbacks, the Discayas maintained that their company completed the projects according to approved plans and that these passed DPWH inspections.
Following their testimony, the couple sought protection from the Senate and from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., expressing willingness to serve as state witnesses in any corruption case that may arise from the investigation.
Several of the officials named have either denied the allegations or have yet to issue formal statements as of press time. The Senate inquiry into the alleged flood control anomalies remains ongoing.
