Discaya bares lawmakers’ role in pre-arranged DPWH projects

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 – Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II on Tuesday bared a scheme where some lawmakers allegedly pre-arranged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects by “buying” them even before bidding.

Discaya, owner of St. Gerrard Construction and several other firms, told senators in a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing that contractors were pressured to join fake biddings only to be paid a “share” for losing.

“Ang ‘taker’ ng proyekto naman ay ang mga ‘may-ari’ ng project. Sila ay mayroon nang mga nakausap sa loob ng Bids and Awards Committee o ang BAC upang makasigurado na sa kanila mapupunta ang project. Maaaring nabili na nila ang proyekto mula sa congressman at iniintay na lang na lumabas ang resulta ng ‘bidding’ na isinasagawa (The ‘taker’ of the project is its real owner. They have already spoken to the Bids and Awards Committee to secure the award. The project may have already been bought from a congressman, and the bidding is just for show),” he said.

He said the scheme was widespread nationwide, with losing bidders typically receiving 1 to 3 percent of the project’s approved budget as payoff.

Members of the BAC allegedly played a direct role in favoring chosen contractors by disqualifying rivals through technicalities such as declaring documents “non-compliant” or even tearing up papers.

He explained that the “taker” is the political backer who secured the project, the “negotiator” arranges which contractors may join, the “royalty” lends licenses for a fee, and the “player” participates only to lose in exchange for a share.

“The bidding is controlled end-to-end. From the sale of bid documents to the award of projects, it is BAC officials and political allies who dictate the outcome,” Discaya said.

Despite attempts to report the practices, he said contractors who refused to cooperate were harassed, disqualified or threatened with blacklisting.

Discaya vowed to cooperate with the Senate probe and submit records of transactions.