Senator Erwin Tulfo expressed strong opposition to the idea of turning the Discaya couple and the so-called “BGC Boys” — former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office — into state witnesses in the ongoing flood control scam probe.
“I don’t think na maging state witness ang mga ito. I mean common sense, ninakaw nila ‘yung pera ng taumbayan. I mean magnanakaw gagawin mong state witness, absuwelto, eh katangahan naman iyon. I totally disagree,” Tulfo said in a radio interview on Saturday.
He insisted that former Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, and Curlee and Sarah Discaya should not be granted state witness status.
“Bakit sila magiging state witness? Brice, si Alcantara lalo na itong sina Discaya, kalokohan,” Tulfo said.
The senator, who currently chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, argued that some members of the House of Representatives accused of involvement in the scam could be better candidates for state witness protection if they are willing to cooperate.
“Pupuwede pa siguro ‘yung mga mambabatas ‘pag nagsalita diyan ‘yung mga na-accuse diyan. ‘O willing ka ba magsalita? O sige ituro mo, sino pang alam mo na nandiyan na kasamahan, ‘yung tinatawag na congtractors,’” he added.
Tulfo maintained that allowing the main perpetrators to become witnesses would be an insult to the Filipino people.
“Pero kung sasabihin mong itong nagnakaw ng milyon-milyon, state witness? You gonna be kidding, ‘wag naman. Parang sampal sa taumbayan iyan. Ninakawan ka na ginawa mo pang state witness,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III agreed that the Discaya couple should be prosecuted instead. He said that the only one who deserves to be considered a state witness is Sally Santos of SYMS Construction, who has been cooperative and transparent with the Senate committee.
“Kasuhan na iyan at ikulong na ‘yan. Matutuwa pa ang taumbayan,” Sotto stated, adding that there is already circumstantial evidence against the Discayas, with only proof of the money exchange for bribery needed to seal the case.