Senate cites in contempt Curlee Discaya, Alcantara

HOT SEAT. Couple Pacifico (right) and Cezarah Discaya testify before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday (Sept. 8, 2025). They implicated some members of the House of Representatives and Department of Public Works and Highways officials in alleged anomalous government contracts of their construction firms. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday cited Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya in contempt for giving inconsistent statements on the absence of his wife, Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Dicaya, at the ongoing inquiry into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Senator Raffy Tulfo moved to hold Discaya in contempt after noting contradictions between his testimony and the letter submitted by his wife to the committee.

Senator Erwin Tulfo seconded the motion, which was approved by Committee chairperson Senator Panfilo Lacson.

During the hearing, Discaya initially claimed that his wife was unable to attend due to a heart condition.

However, the letter she sent to the panel cited a conflicting reason —a previously scheduled meeting with her employees.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada pressed Discaya for the “valid reason” behind his wife’s absence, while Senate President Vicente Sotto III first raised the question on why she was absent.

Lacson then read Mrs. Discaya’s letter, which emphasized her regret at missing the hearing because of a work commitment.

This further contradicted Curlee Discaya’s claim that health issues prevented her attendance.

“Very inconsistent ang pinagsasabi nito. Mag-asawa sila at imposibleng hindi sila nag-uusap sa health condition ng misis niya. Pinagloloko tayo ng mga ‘to (What he is saying is very inconsistent. They are husband and wife and it’s impossible that they are unaware of each other’s health condition. They are fooling us),” Senator Raffy Tulfo said.

Senator Erwin Tulfo also remarked that the couple’s differing excuses only highlighted their lack of coordination.

“Sana nag-usap muna kayo (You should have discussed it first),” he said.

With the committee’s decision, Curlee Discaya will remain cited in contempt while his wife faces a show-cause order to explain her absence.

Former Bulacan Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Henry Alcantara was also cited in contempt for denying knowledge of ghost projects in his jurisdiction despite evidence presented at the hearing.

Lacson said Alcantara’s statements ran contrary to records and testimonies that linked him to questionable flood control projects flagged in the inquiry.

“The committee cannot accept these denials in the face of contrary documents,” Lacson said.

The Senate is investigating alleged irregularities in flood control projects worth billions of pesos, with contractors and DPWH personnel under scrutiny for ghost works, substandard infrastructure, and possible bid-rigging.

The Senate is investigating alleged irregularities in flood control projects worth billions of pesos, including so-called “ghost” works, substandard infrastructure, and questionable bidding processes.

The inquiry has placed contractors and DPWH personnel under scrutiny following reports of widespread corruption in allocations from 2022 to 2024.