Controversial government contractor Curlee Discaya is reportedly prepared to reveal the identities of over 150 individuals allegedly connected to the ongoing flood control scandal, his legal counsel confirmed on Wednesday, June 10.
Atty. Cornelio Samaniego III stated in a radio interview that Discaya’s nearly nine-month detention at the Senate facility allowed him to remember numerous individuals.
Discaya was previously cited for contempt during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into anomalous public works projects.
“Nagulat nga ako sa kanya, kasi hanggang maaari ayoko na sana [magpangalan pa siya]. Kaya lang, sabi niya, kasi dahil sa tagal niyang nagkakulong sa Senate, na-rerecall niya lahat, halos lahat ng mga nakakatransaksyon,” Samaniego explained.
“So sabi niya, ang sabi niya sa akin is pangangalanan ko sila. Ganoon din lang naman. Wala namang nangyari doon sa Senado. Sabi niya, ‘Pangalanan na lahat. Damay-banday na.’ ‘Yan ang sabi niya sa akin. Pinipigil ko nga eh. Pero sabi niya ‘In due time, papangalanan ko yan mga yan.’”
Samaniego acknowledged attempting to discourage his client from exposing more names, pointing out that previous disclosures failed to spark significant government action. However, the lawyer maintained that he cannot ultimately stop Discaya from speaking out.
“Pinipigil ko pa rin siyang mag-reveal ulit ng mga pangalan kasi medyo hindi naman yata pinagtutuunan ng pamahalaan ‘yung kanyang mga nirevela noong nakaraan. Kaya lang, hindi ko mapipigilan ‘yan; kliyente ’yan. Kung anong gusto niyang mangyari, nandito lang tayo para magbigay ng advice,” he said.
According to Samaniego, Discaya claims to possess corroborating evidence—including ledgers and photographs documenting meetings with the alleged participants—though the lawyer admitted he has not personally reviewed all the materials.
Discaya had earlier pledged to name over 150 officials, including lawmakers, who allegedly accepted kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.
In a related development, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that nine of the 11 suspects charged in connection with the controversy are now in law enforcement custody.
Discaya was recently arrested over a non-bailable malversation complaint involving a ₱53.9-million flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan.
He faces separate graft and falsification charges and is currently held in preventive isolation at the Bulacan Provincial Jail for security reasons.