MANILA, Philippines — Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II has implicated several members of Congress of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in alleged kickbacks schemes involving flood control projects during the Senate blue ribbon committee’s third hearing on Monday, September 8.
In his affidavit, Discaya named the lawmakers, who “allegedly requested” kickbacks ranging from 10% to 25% of project funds. Among those named were:
Terrence Calatrava, former undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas of the Philippines
- Rep. Roman Romulo of Pasig
- Rep. Jojo Ang of Uswag Ilonggo Partylist
- Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas of Quezon City
- Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde of Quezon City
- Rep. Nicanor Briones of AGAP Partylist
- Rep. Marcy Teodoro of Marikina
- Rep. Florida Robes of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
- Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of Romblon
- Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr.
- Rep. Florencio Noel of An-waray Partylist
- Rep. Reynante Arrogancia of Quezon
- Rep. Marvin Rillo of Quezon City
- Rep. Leody Tarriela
- Rep. Teodoro Haresco of Aklan
- Rep. Antonieta Eudela of Zamboanga Sibugay
- Rep. Dean Asistio of Caloocan
- Rep. Marivic Co-pilar of Quezon City
Discaya further identified DPWH officials allegedly “involved in the flood control mess”:
- Regional Director Eduarte Virgilio of DPWH Region 5
- Director Ramon Arriola III of Unified Project Management Offices (UPMO)
- District Engineer Henry Alcantara of DPWH Bulacan 1st
- Undersecretary Robert Bernardo
- District Engineer Aristotle Ramos of DPWH Metro Manila 1st
- District Engineer Manny Bulusan of DPWH North Manila DEO
- District Engineer Edgargo Pingol of DPWH Bulacan sub-DEO
- District Engineer Michael Rosaria of DPWH Quezon 2nd DEO
According to Discaya, contractors felt compelled to comply.
“We had no choice because if we didn’t cooperate, they would create problems for the project awarded to us through mutual termination or right-of-way issues, both of which would prevent the project from being implemented,” he testified.
Discaya added that they attempted to raise the issue with DPWH but were told that “this was the reality.”
‘Involved senators in anomaly’
Separately, DPWH assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez alleged on Tuesday, September 9, that two senators were also involved in the flood control project anomaly namely Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva.
“Si Senator Jinggoy po ay nagbaba ng P355 million ngayong 2025 sa mga ilang projects sa Bulacan. Ang sabi po ng boss ko dito 30 percent po ang commitment dito,” he said.
During the September 8 hearing, Senate blue ribbon chair Sen. Rodante Marcoleta jokingly told Estrada: “Safe ka na (you’re safe).” Estrada, who has denied the wrongdoing, previously faced plunder charges in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scandal.
Many of the lawmakers and DPWH officials mentioned have since issued statements denying the allegations.
As of press time, none of the allegations raised in the Senate hearings have been substantiated in court.
