Ombudsman Boying Remulla asserted that contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya might be protecting certain individuals, which could explain their refusal to cooperate with the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).
In an interview on Wednesday, October 15, Remulla said the couple appeared unwilling to fully disclose what they knew about the alleged irregularities.
“They were not in a tell-all mood… They wanted to spare a lot of people and just choose what they wanted to say,” Remulla stated.
He also criticized what he described as the couple’s apparent lack of fear despite being under investigation.
“Wala pa silang nararamdamang fear. I don’t see fear in their faces… Matinik saka madulas at ayaw umamin. Talagang lahat ay gagawin para malagyan ng balakid yung pagpasok mo sa katotohanan,” he said.
It will be recalled that the Discayas withdrew their cooperation with the ICI, which has been conducting an investigation into alleged anomalous flood control projects.
“Basically, they explained that, they were thinking that when they cooperate before the ICI, they will be getting a favorable recommendation from the commission as state witness[es],” ICI Executive Director Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka said in a press conference following what appeared to be the couple’s final appearance before the commission.
Despite the Discayas’ withdrawal, Hosaka assured that the ICI’s investigation into the flood control anomalies will continue.
“Marami naman tayong mapagkukunan ng information. In fact, ang dami nang nag-tetestify, and pagdudugtong-dungtungin lahat ‘yan para makuha natin lahat ng nangyari, at ma-recommend natin na ma-file-an ‘tong mga taong to,” he said.