Discaya claims mere allegations, not revelations – PBBM

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday dismissed the claims of controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya on alleged anomalies in flood control projects as mere allegations, not revelations.

“Yeah, can I correct that? These are not revelations; they are allegations. Those are very different… Allegations and revelations are extremely different,” Marcos told reporters in Cambodia.

The President emphasized that the claims would still be examined by an independent commission that the Palace is set to constitute this week.

“Kailangan masalimuot at detalyado ang ating magiging imbestigasyon (Our investigation must be thorough and detailed),” he said.

Marcos said Curlee Discaya may be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) if qualified, noting that all Filipinos facing recognized threats deserve state protection.

“Not because they are making allegation, not because they are part of the investigation, but because they are Filipinos,” he said.

He also cautioned against name-dropping, after House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez was among those linked to the Discayas’ allegations.

“Alam naman ninyo ‘yan that nine-name-drop lahat (You know they are name-dropping everyone)… But you know, name-dropping is not a crime. What is a crime is that you use the name of somebody else para magnakaw (to steal),” Marcos said.

Corruption in flood control projects had become “institutionalized” for decades, he said, vowing to dismantle the system.