Contractor Curlee Discaya slammed over his remark.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) asked Curlee Discaya to restitute or return money to the government, but the contractor said he felt he was robbed.
During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing for the probe of the billions-worth of anomalous flood control projects, controversial contractor
Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya
was asked to return the money to the government.
He made the statement during a heated exchange between Senator Rodante Marcoleta and Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, which centered on the issue of restitution of the alleged ill-gotten wealth.
“Your Honor, kung magkano po ang ire-restitute po muna namin… Ako po, hindi ko po masabi kung magkano po kasi para sa akin po, parang kami po ang nanakawan,”
Discaya expressed.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano called him out, saying it was not robbery because the money would be returned to where they belong – to the people. It is accountability. Clavano added that the theft involved more than just public funds, noting that it also had implications for the safety of the Filipino people.
“Ang taumbayan ang unang ninakawan. Ang pagsauli ng pera ng gobyerno ay hindi pangingikil; ito ay pananagutan,”
Clavano said.
Meanwhile, on January 20, Senator Risa Hontiveros dared contractors Curlee and
Sarah Discaya
to submit flood control records from 2016 to 2022 as proof that they are willing to cooperate in the investigation of the anomalies.
However, they failed to do this, which ultimately cast doubt on their willingness to cooperate with authorities.