Marilyn Cahatol

Pacifico  “Curlee” Discaya II leaves the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) head office in Taguig City on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, to attend a hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects across the country.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:604px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176066922621820251015-ici-hearing-discaya-MT10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II leaves the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) head office in Taguig City on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, to attend a hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects across the country. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED) </strong>— A Pasay court has junked government contractor Pacifico &quot;Curlee&quot; Discaya&#x27;s petition for habeas corpus seeking his release from detention in the Senate for lack of merit.</p><p>&quot;I was informed yesterday by the Senate Legal Counsel that RTC (Regional Trial Court) dismissed the petition for habeas corpus filed by Discaya,&quot; Senate Secretary Renato Bantug told ABS-CBN News. </p><p>Senate President Vicente Sotto III also confirmed the development.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/15/discayas-back-out-from-cooperating-with-ici-on-flood-control-project-probe-1744"><strong>Discayas back out from cooperating with ICI on flood-control project probe</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WHAT THE COURT SAID</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>In its ruling, the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 298 held that the petition lacks merit. </p><p>It said that Discaya was questioning the legality of his detention by the Senate but also that the Senate had committed grave abuse of discretion in citing him for contempt, which would require a petition for certiorari, or review.</p><p> &quot;For all intents and purposes, petitioner admits that the legal basis for his detention is because of the Senate&#x27;s exercise of its contempt power,&quot; the court said, adding Discaya&#x27;s detention was &quot;well grounded&quot; on the Senate Blue Ribbon committee&#x27;s contempt citation.</p><p>&quot;Petitioner&#x27;s protestations that the contempt order was issued without due process is belied by the fact that he was afforded the opportunity to explain why he should not be cited in contempt, &quot; the court also said.</p><p>The court noted, however, that the petition alleging grave abuse of discretion was dismissed without prejudice to Discaya filing an appropriate one for certiorari.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DISCAYA STILL AT SENATE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Discaya is &quot;still at the Senate detention facility,&quot; said his lawyer Cornelio Samaniego III, who declined to give more comment.</p><p>Discaya was <a href="http://&#x27;Binabastos mo kami&#x27;: Senate panel cites Curlee Discaya in contempt for allegedly lying about wife&#x27;s absence">cited in contempt </a>by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and detained there on September 18 for allegedly lying about the absence of his wife Sarah during a hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control projects.</p><p>Discaya’s camp cited alleged irregularities in his detention.</p><p>On October 9, the Senate said it “remains firm in its decision, asserting that the contempt order against Discaya was issued within its constitutional authority.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/17/customs-eyes-competitive-transparent-bidding-of-discaya-luxury-cars-by-nov-15-1357">Customs eyes &#x27;competitive, transparent&#x27; bidding of Discaya luxury cars by Nov. 15</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/16/dpwh-to-start-probe-into-firm-linked-to-sen-bong-go-s-family-its-ties-to-discayas-1123">DPWH starts probe into firm linked to Sen. Bong Go&#x27;s family, its ties to Discayas</a></div><div><iframe width="923" height="519" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n7mLglVpiBs" title="FULL: Curlee Discaya ipinaliwanag ang proseso ng &#x27;bidding-biddingan&#x27; | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <iframe width="923" height="519" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YlC329SPP3Y" title="Sarah at Curlee Discaya ayaw nang makipagtulungan sa ICI. Ito raw ang dahilan | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>A Pasay court has junked government contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya's petition for habeas corpus seeking his release from detention in the Senate. </p>

A Pasay court has junked government contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya's petition for habeas corpus seeking his release from detention in the Senate.

Curlee Discaya to stay in Senate custody as court rejects habeas corpus plea

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Curlee Discaya to stay in Senate custody as court rejects habeas corpus plea

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 17, 2025 02:17 PM PHT

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Updated October 17, 2025 05:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Curlee Discaya

Sarah Discaya

flood control

corruption

contractor

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