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Curlee Discaya says he felt 'robbed'  when asked to restitute

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Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<p>Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II said he felt “robbed” when asked to restitute or return money while in the process of applying to be admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).</p><p>Discaya is linked to anomalous flood control projects and is currently detained in the Senate.</p><p>During the eighth hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday, Discaya was asked by Senator Rodante Marcoleta how much was asked of them to restitute.</p><p>Discaya said that there was no mention of restitution at first, but it was discussed at the next meeting.</p><p>“Hindi ko po masabi kung magkano po kasi para sa akin po, parang kami po ang nanakawan. Parang ibig sabihin, parang modern day na pagnanakaw. Ibig sabihin, ‘yung nakaw ba, siya pa ang magbibigay ng pera doon sa ninakawan niya? Parang gano’n po,” Discaya said.</p><p>Department of Justice (DOJ) Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon refuted Discaya’s statement.</p><p>“Kasinungalingan po yung sinasabi ni Mr. Discaya na agad-agad silang sinabihan na magsoli ka. Ang pinag-uusapan po dito, bago man lang makapagsabi ng ganoon, kailangan munang makita kung ano ang gusto at kayang sabihin at patunayan ni Mr. Discaya at ni Mrs. Discaya doon sa kanilang salaysay. Pero hindi po sila nakikipag-ugnayan sa department. Kaya hindi po sila mabigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon at hindi po ma-process yung kanilang application,” Fadullon explained. </p><p>Discaya refused to say more for fear of being imprisoned after his wife, Sarah Discaya, was imprisoned at the Lapu-Lapu City jail in Cebu.</p><p>Marcoleta asked if the restitution made by witnesses was their own initiative or a requirement, to which Fadullon answered that it is an agreement between the Secretary of Justice and the witness applicant.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1sGzB6qxPYQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Marcoleta questioned this.</p><p>“The agreement is based not on the provision of the WPP. Sabi ko nga kung sinasabi ng WPP it cannot be a condition, kahit na sa memorandum huwag mong ipipilit. Hindi pupuwde yun eh,” he argued.</p><p>“The spring cannot rise higher than its source. The law itself is the source. Ang spring yung memorandum mo. Pinipilit mong ilagay sa memorandum yung restitution eh. Kaya mayroon akong nababalitaan parang may gusto nang umatras. Magkano ibibigay at kanino ibibigay? Sino mag-a-account nun? Eh sinong nagsabi noon na kung mangongolekta kayo sa DOJ. Eh hindi ba abuse of discretion yun?” he asked. </p><p>Fadullon said restitution is not abuse.</p><p>“If the parties both agree to the terms and conditions contained in the memorandum of agreement, there is no abuse,” Fadullon replied.</p><p>Those currently considered as state witnesses are former Department of Public Works and Highways officials Roberto Bernardo, Henry Alcantara, and Gerard Opulencia, as well as contractor Sally Santos.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P0ZSp4iy-kE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II said he felt “robbed” when asked to restitute or return money while in the process of applying to be admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).</p>

Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II said he felt “robbed” when asked to restitute or return money while in the process of applying to be admitted to the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Curlee Discaya says he felt 'robbed' when asked to restitute

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Curlee Discaya says he felt 'robbed' when asked to restitute

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 20, 2026 07:05 AM PHT

Read More:

curlee discaya

restitution

rodante marcoleta

richard fadullon

witness protection program

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