A Pasay court has dismissed a petition filed by government contractor Curlee Discaya, affirming the Senate’s authority to cite him in contempt during a legislative inquiry.
In a ruling dated February 23, Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 297 held that Discaya failed to establish grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Senate, thereby sustaining the validity of the contempt citation issued against him.
Judge Ronald August Tan noted that due process was observed, pointing out that Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee chair Panfilo “Ping” Lacson had directed Discaya to explain why he should not be cited in contempt.
The decision also cited inconsistencies in Discaya’s statements. During the hearings, he read into the record a letter from his wife, Sarah Discaya, citing a scheduled employee meeting as the reason for her absence.
This contradicted his earlier claim that she was unable to attend due to a medical condition, raising questions about the couple’s testimony.
In its ruling, the court concluded that the Senate’s anti-graft panel acted within its constitutional mandate in conducting the probe and exercising its authority to cite resource persons in contempt when warranted.