By John Urvie Papelleras, Malt John Vianney Solon
On the nativity of Mary, developments on the ongoing probe of “ghost” flood control projects took a sharp turn. Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya revealed a list of names during a Senate hearing, tagging high-profile lawmakers and DPWH executives in the billion-peso scam. Meanwhile, the Senate has undergone a major shift in leadership with Sen. Tito Sotto III replacing Sen. Chiz Escudero for the Senate President post, rearranging the Senate Majority and Minority composition.
With the recent storm of events, where will the investigation lead in the coming weeks?
Discayas name officials in alleged flood control corruption
Layouts by Christian Alegam
After facing intense nationwide scrutiny that even sparked a protest outside their compound, the Discaya couple expressed their willingness to serve as state witnesses in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation. Curlee Discaya accused lawmakers and DPWH officials of demanding a 10% to 25% cut from project funds in exchange for the smooth implementation of awarded contracts, warning that refusal often resulted in issues such as mutual termination or right-of-way problems that stalled project execution.
In his testimony, Discaya went on to name several congressmen and DPWH officials allegedly involved, including prominent figures such as House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and Quezon City Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde.
He claimed a total of 26 politicians were part of the scheme—18 congressmen and 8 DPWH officials.
Romualdez, lawmakers hit back at Discaya, call accusations ‘false’
House Speaker Martin Romualdez and several lawmakers quickly denied the Discaya couple’s accusations, dismissing the claims as false and politically motivated.
Romualdez, along with Reps. Roman Romulo, Marcy Teodoro, and Eleandro “Budoy” Madrona, branded the allegations a “demolition job.”
Other officials, including Quezon City Reps. Arjo Atayde and Patrick Michael Vargas, vowed legal action to clear their names. Atayde said he would pursue all legal remedies to hold those behind the accusations accountable, while Vargas insisted the Discayas had no project in his district and promised to file a case against them.
Former lawmaker and now San Jose del Monte Mayor Florida Robes also announced plans to file a libel case against the couple.
Meanwhile, Reps. James Ang Jr., Reynante Arrogancia, and Marvin Rillo joined colleagues in rejecting the accusations.
Sotto dumps Escudero, shifts Senate leadership
With 15 signatures on his back, Sen. Tito Sotto III replaced Sen. Chiz Escudero as the Senate president following the latter’s link with a contractor involved in the flood control scheme, which turned out to be his campaign top donor.
This is now the third time the Marcos administration has changed its senate president. Will this alteration prove that third time’s the charm or the other way around?
With Sotto’s proclamation, Sen. Ping Lacson took over the seat of Senate President Pro Tempore, superseding Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, while Sen. Migz Zubiri now serves as the Senate Majority Leader replacing Sen. Joel Villanueva.
Furthermore, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta has also been pulled down as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson, succeeded by Sen. Ping Lacson.
As the Senate rearranges its seats, how will it maneuver the issues on the table?
Minority bloc gains ground as Sotto wins Senate presidency
The Philippine Senate witnessed a sweeping power realignment as the chamber’s previously marginalized minority bloc, now comprising five senators, regained influence by propelling Minority Leader Tito Sotto to the presidency, marking a dramatic shift from earlier sessions when the minority barely held ground.
Sotto’s victory marks a notable reversal for the once-diminutive minority group, which in the previous Congress had dwindled to just two members: Senators Koko Pimentel and Risa Hontiveros.
It took countless cycles of nationwide flooding to expose these blatant acts of corruption in our country
As the issue on anomalous flood control projects that drowned countless lives explode into a bombshell, the Filipinos now indignantly gasp for accountability.
But with the continuous revelations of the people in power being the people in question, how far will we go in this turbulent dive for justice?
