Discayas tag House lawmakers, DPWH officials in kickback schemes—but no senators
MANILA, Philippines — The Discaya couple has begun naming lawmakers who allegedly received kickbacks from their projects, though no senators from the Upper Chamber were mentioned in their initial disclosures.
Previously linked to multiple alleged ghost projects across the country, the Discayas have expressed willingness to serve as state witnesses and tell all.
In a sworn affidavit, Curlee Discaya stated that their firm, St. Gerard Construction, began to find success when officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other government workers approached them, claiming to have access to projects funded by lawmakers.
Curlee said they initially attempted to report the activity to the DPWH but were told that this is the reality. He added that their efforts to push back against the system led to the company losing several project bids.
He explained that as their business began to be cornered and their suspicions grew, they felt there was “nothing they could do.”
Curlee claimed that whenever their firm won a bid, they were asked to give 10% to 25% of the project’s value as a kickback.
In their affidavit, the Discayas named 18 lawmakers who allegedly requested such payments.
- Rep. Roman Romulo, Pasig City
- Rep. Jojo Ang, Uswang Ilonggo
- Rep. MIchael Vargas, Quecon City
- Rep. Arjo Atayde, Quezon City
- Rep. Nicanor Brionies. AGAP Partylist
- Rep. Marci Teodoro, Marikina City
- Rep. Florida Robes, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan
- Rep. Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona, Romblon
- Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr., Laguna
- Rep. Florencio Noel, An Waray Partylist
- Rep. Leody Tarriela, Occidental Mindoro
- Rep. Reynante Uy Arrogancia, Quezon Province
- Rep. Marvin Rillo, Quezon City
- Rep. Teodorico "Nonong" T Haresco, Aklan
- Rep. Antonieta Eudela, Zamboanga Sibugay
- Rep. Dean Assistio, Caloocan City
- Rep. Marivic Garcia Co-Pilar, Quecon City
Several other officials were also named.
- Terrence Calatrava, Former Undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas of the Philippines
- Regional Director Eduarte Virgilio of DPWH Region V
- Director Ramon A. Arriola III of Unified Project Management Offices (UPMO)
- District Engineer Henry Alcantara of DPWH Bulacan 1st District
- DPWH Undersecretary Robert Bernardo
- District Engineer Aristotle Ramos of DPWH Metro Manila 1st
- District Engineer Manny Bulusan of DPWH North Manila DEO
- District Engineer Edgardo C. Pingol of DPWH Bulacan Sub-Deo
- District Engineer Michael Rosaria of DPWH Quezon 2nd DEO
Several of those named were quick to deny the Discayas’ allegations, including Virgilio and Romulo.
Curlee also named House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Rep. Zaldy Co. Co, who is linked to one of the top-earning contracting firms in the Philippines, has faced criticism for his alleged involvement in budget insertions in the 2025 national budget.
In his statement, Curlee claimed that Ang mentioned on multiple occasions that Co and Romualdez were funding the projects—an explanation offered for the unusually high project costs.
Romualdez has yet to respond to Philstar.com's request for comment. This story will be updated once he replies.
'No senators involved'
When asked by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada if any senators had requested kickbacks, Curlee responded that there were none.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Sen. Rodante Marcoleta jokingly told Estrada, “Safe ka na (you’re safe).” The chamber chuckled, but an irked Estrada asked the committee secretary to strike Marcoleta’s remark from the record.
Estrada previously faced a plunder case in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scandal.
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