Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II will remain under the custody of the Senate after the Pasay City Regional Trial Court rejected the petition for habeas corpus filed by his camp.
In its ruling, Branch 498 of the Pasay RTC found no sufficient evidence to support Discaya’s claim that there was grave abuse of discretion in placing him under the Senate’s custody.
Discaya’s legal counsel, Atty. Cornelio Samaniego III, confirmed the court’s decision, adding that they are still securing a copy of the ruling for review.
It may be recalled that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee cited Discaya for contempt after he was accused of lying about the absence of his wife, Sarah Discaya, during the chamber’s hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control projects held on September 18.
The Senate has maintained that the contempt order against Discaya was issued within its constitutional authority as part of its mandate to uphold truth and accountability in legislative inquiries.