Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has reminded contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya to cooperate with the ongoing investigation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), following their reported withdrawal from the probe.
In a media interview on Thursday, October 16, Dizon urged the couple to work with the commission, emphasizing the consequences if they refuse.
“Kailangan mag-cooperate sila,” Dizon said. “Kung hindi sila makikipag-cooperate, pasensyahan tayo. Ganoon lang naman kasimple ‘yon.”
According to Dizon, the ICI had already given the couple an opportunity to assist in the investigation, but they themselves decided not to pursue their earlier plan to become state witnesses.
“Binigyan na nga sila ng pagkakataon ng ICI na makipag-cooperate, pero ngayon na hindi sila magco-cooperate, lahat ng mga kaso against them wala nang possibility na mag-state witness,” he said.
“Sila na rin ang nagsabi na ayaw nilang mag-state witness,” Dizon clarified.
The DPWH chief also pointed out that the Discayas have been involved in numerous government contracts since 2016, many of which are now under scrutiny.
“Tandaan n’yo, andaming kontrata ng mga Discaya. Libo ang kontrata nila from 2016 […] Ano ‘yan, multiple counts of grafts, malversation, multiple cases ‘yan,” Dizon stated.
He expressed confidence in the leadership of newly appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla and the initial case filed by the DPWH against the couple.
“Para sa akin, kampante ako sa ating bagong Ombudsman. ‘Yong first case na ni-file ng DPWH, ‘yon ang unang-unang kaso na magpapakulong sa mga Discaya at sa lahat ng mga salarin,” Dizon said.
As of now, the Discaya couple has not released any public statement or response regarding the issue.
Earlier, ICI Executive Director Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka announced on Wednesday, October 15, that the Discayas had officially withdrawn their cooperation with the commission’s ongoing investigation.