Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and his wife, Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila on Friday as they sought consideration to become state witnesses in the ongoing investigations into alleged infrastructure anomalies.
Arriving separately, Pacifico was escorted by a Senate vehicle after being cited for contempt the day before, while his wife came on her own. The couple later submitted sworn affidavits, which are now under review to determine if their testimonies are strong enough for inclusion in the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla kept the discussions under wraps. “The proceedings are confidential of the witness protection. It’s in the law. We have to be careful about what we talk about (in public),” he told reporters.
He stressed that cooperation alone is not enough for entry into the program. “While not in the law, it is in human nature and our concept of justice firstly (that state witness must tell) the whole truth, and secondly, in the end there will be restitution (of the amounts involved),” Remulla said.
Asked if the possible return of funds linked to questionable transactions was raised during the meeting, Remulla declined to comment. “It’s still confidential. I think it was a relief for them to be able to talk to people who are only after the truth. We don’t want anything else here,” he added.
The DOJ chief assured that coordination with lawmakers leading the legislative inquiry, as well as the newly established Independent Commission for Infrastructure, would continue.
For now, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano IV clarified that the couple’s appearance was “part of procedure” and should not be mistaken as automatic admission into the WPP.
Remulla had earlier made it clear: unless the Discayas come forward with the “whole truth,” their bid to gain state witness status will remain uncertain.