Camille Naredo

Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, owners of St. Gerrard Construction Company, attend a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged ghost flood control projects at the Philippine Senate on September 8, 2025.

Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, owners of St. Gerrard Construction Company, attend a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged ghost flood control projects at the Philippine Senate on September 8, 2025.
Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Discaya

Jamaine Punzalan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175731923334320250908-senate-blue-ribbon-discayas-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, owners of St. Gerrard Construction Company, attend a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged ghost flood control projects at the Philippine Senate on September 8, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/>Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, owners of St. Gerrard Construction Company, attend a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged ghost flood control projects at the Philippine Senate on September 8, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA (UPDATED) -- House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other lawmakers on Monday rejected the accusations of government contractors Curlee and Sara Discaya who tagged them in alleged corruption in flood control projects. Romualdez said he “cannot and will not allow lies and name-dropping to pass unchecked.”“The claim in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping. Let me be clear: Wala akong kinalaman, wala akong pahintulot, at wala akong basbas sa mga ganyang gawain,” the Speaker said.He pointed out that Congress debates and approves the budget, but does not release funds nor implement projects — which is “the sole duty of the Executive and agencies like the DPWH.”“If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent. At kung ginawa nila iyon para kumita, sila ang mandaraya at sila ang dapat managot,” Romualdez said.“And I say this with all honesty: I have never, and I will never, accept a bribe from anybody. Walang sinuman ang kayang manuhol sa akin. Alam iyan ng lahat ng House Members. I am self-made, and I have been blessed with the trust of the Filipino people. I do not need—and will never allow myself—to be corrupted by money that does not belong to me.”<div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2X2Ss8JTeDc" title="FULL: Discayas name lawmakers, DPWH officials in anomalous flood control projects" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div>&#x27;DIVERSIONARY TACTICS&#x27;</div>The Discaya couple earlier in the day alleged that corrupt officials had forced them to join anomalous biddings and hand over money in exchange for securing projects. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/disacayas-says-corrupt-officials-used-them-in-anomalous-bidding-1114">Discaya couple tags lawmakers, DPWH execs in flood control fiasco</a></div>&quot;Not true,&quot; Rep. Roman Romulo said of the accusations. Rep. Marcelino Teodoro said the allegation was part of &quot;diversionary tactics&quot; to move public attention away from the real anomalies in the Department of Public Works and Highways after he flagged proposed 2026 funding for projects that were already completed. “Walang katotohanan ang mga paratang ng mga Discaya. Isa lang itong demolition job—a cheap shot para siraan ako,” Teodoro said.He added that the Discayas secured projects in his district around 2020 or 2021, before he was elected as congressman.“Wala akong kinalaman doon, dahil hindi pa ako congressman noon. Kaya malinaw na ang mga akusasyong ito ay mali, malisyoso, at walang ibang layunin kundi sirain ang pangalan ko at ang tiwala ng mga taga-Marikina sa akin,” Teodoro said.“Never akong humingi o tumanggap ng pera, pabor, o anumang benepisyo kapalit ng political influence o legislative action,” he added.Romblon Lone District Rep. Eleandro Jesus “Budoy” Madrona denied receiving kickbacks from flood control projects.“I strongly deny the accusation, sinasabing statement ni Curlee ng  mga Discaya na kesyo na kasama ako doon sa nagde-demand sa kanila, wala ako dini-demand sa kanila” he said.He said the bidding for flood control projects in Romblon followed proper procedures and that he never used his influence over them.Madrona told DZMM Teleradyo on Saturday that he would resign from his post if it is proven that no bidding took place and if ghost projects existed in Romblon.Romblon Governor Trina Firmalo-Fabic has formed a task force to investigate around 80 flood control projects in Romblon worth P5.8 billion, implemented from 2022 to 2025.Occidental Mindoro Lone District Rep. Leody “Odie” Tarriela also denied benefiting from flood control projects.“Wala po akong tinatanggap na anumang pera o pabor mula kay Mr. Discaya,” Tarriela said.“Ang pagtukoy at pagpapapondo ng malalaking national government projects tulad ng flood control ay trabaho ng DPWH Regional o National Office, at hindi ng congressman” he added. “Bilang kinatawan sa Kongreso, ang tungkulin lang natin ay magpanukala ng mga proyektong local (kalsada, tulay, multipurpose buildings, classrooms, palengke at iba pa) na hinihiling ng bawat Barangay o Bayan para maisama sa General Appropriations Act (GAA).”<div> </div><div>LIBEL COMPLAINT </div>Former lawmaker and now San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Mayor Florida Robes said she would file a libel case against the Discaya couple for tagging her in the flood control fiasco.“Kitang-kita naman ng marami kung gaano na kaganda ang San Jose del Monte ngayon. Walang ghost project dito at pang-world class ang aming mga infrastructure,” Robes said.“Kung sino man gumagamit ng pangalan ko, mangilabot naman kayo!”Quezon City First District Rep. Arjo Atayde said he would &quot;avail of all remedies under the law to clear my name and hold accountable those who spread these falsehoods.&quot;&quot;I categorically deny the allegation that I benefited from any contractor. I have never dealt with them,&quot; he said in a statement. &quot;Hindi po totoo ang mga akusasyon na ito. I have never used my position for personal gain, and I never will,&quot; he added. Quezon City Fifth District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas said the Discayas had no project in his district.&quot;I will file a case against them for this blatant lie. My track record speaks for itself,&quot; he said. Rep. James Ang, Jr., Rep. Reynante Arrogancia, and Rep. Marvin Rillo also denied the Discayas&#x27; allegations.I strongly and categorically deny the baseless accusations linking me to alleged corrupt practices and illegal acts. The ongoing flood-control investigation is a serious matter. I am totally surprised that my name has been mentioned. It is unfortunate that some interested parties have chosen to resort to name-dragging for their personal agenda. It is a convenient distraction from the real issues. I urge the public to be circumspect and to remain focused on the facts,&quot; Ang said in a statement.&quot;Mariin ko pong pinabubulaanan at itinatanggi ang mga alegasyong ipinupukol laban sa akin ng mga Discaya sa kanilang affidavit noong ika-6 ng Setyembre 2025 at sa kanilang pahayag ngayong ika-8 ng Setyembre 2025 sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee,&quot; Arrogancia said. &quot;Samantala, nakikipag-ugnayan na po ang aking tanggapan sa aking mga abogado upang linisin ang aking pangalan laban sa mga walang batayang akusasyon.&quot;&quot;I categorically deny the allegation or any insinuation that I engaged in influence peddling or corruption. I consistently adhered to the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the performance of my duties as a public servant,&quot; Rillo said. — With reports from Bianca Dava, Katrina Domingo, Dennis Datu, and MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News

House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other lawmakers on Monday rejected the accusations of government contractors Curlee and Sara Discaya who tagged them in alleged corruption in flood control projects.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other lawmakers on Monday rejected the accusations of government contractors Curlee and Sara Discaya who tagged them in alleged corruption in flood control projects.

Romualdez, lawmakers deny 'false, malicious' Discaya corruption claims

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Romualdez, lawmakers deny 'false, malicious' Discaya corruption claims

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 08, 2025 12:17 PM PHT

|

Updated September 08, 2025 08:27 PM PHT

Read More:

Discaya

corruption

flood

flood control

baha

DPWH

ABSNews

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.