Romualdez, House lawmakers refute Discaya kickback claims in DPWH contracts
MANILA, Philippines (Updated. First published: Sept. 8, 3:51 p.m.) — Construction magnate Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya accused 17 House lawmakers of demanding kickbacks from his family’s government infrastructure projects, but several of those implicated have categorically denied the allegations.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez dismissed Discaya's claim as a flat-out lie, describing the allegations against him as "false, malicious and nothing more than name-dropping."
"Wala akong kinalaman, wala akong pahintulot at wala akong basbas sa mga ganyang gawain," he said in a statement on Monday, September 8.
(I have no involvement, no permission, and no blessing for such activities.)
At the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, Discaya alleged that Romualdez and Rep. Elizaldy Co, former House appropriations chairperson, benefited from portions of government projects through other lawmakers who purportedly solicited money from contractors on their behalf.
He added that some Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) employees claimed 25% of project funds were intended for Co, while another lawmaker said their requests were sourced from unprogrammed funds and insertions allegedly approved by Romualdez.
The House speaker, whose leadership has been questioned over the controversies surrounding the lower chamber and its ties to contractors, said no one is capable of bribing him. "Alam iyan ng lahat ng House members (All House members are aware of that)," he added.
Romualdez warned that anyone exploiting his name for profit will be held accountable, pledging to “clean the system” and protect public funds.
"I will not allow falsehoods to tarnish my integrity or the institution I lead. Under my watch, we will clean the system, punish the guilty, and protect the people’s money," he said.
Kickback in Pasig? Lawmaker says no.
Rep. Roman Romulo (Pasig, Lone District) was also among the first legislators tagged and repeatedly mentioned by Discaya. The businessman claimed that a DPWH engineer would approach him to "collect a portion" of flood control funds on behalf of Romulo in 2022.
Discaya also alleged that in 2025, another district engineer told him that Romulo was seeking a 30% kickback.
Romulo swiftly denied Discaya's allegations, saying in a message to Philstar.com: "Not true." The denial came even as the lawmaker was presiding over a hearing of the House basic education committee, which he chairs, while the corruption claims were being made public in the Senate.
The Pasig lawmaker later issued a formal statement, categorically rejecting what he called “malicious and fabricated allegations” linking him to rigged bidding processes. Romulo also described the claims as an attempt to “divert attention, shift blame and evade accountability for matters properly within their responsibility.”
"I was never involved in any bidding nor in selecting contractors for DPWH projects," Romulo said, challenging the Discayas to back up their claims with solid evidence.
Discaya’s wife, Sarah Discaya, ran against Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto in the 2025 midterm elections after he exposed cases involving anomalies, fraud and dummies under investigation. The couple had criticized Sotto even before the campaign period and were also linked to an alleged smear campaign against the mayor.
Romulo was part of Sotto's Giting ng Pasig slate.
Marcy not a congressman then
The Discayas also targeted Rep. Marcy Teodoro (Marikina, 1st District), a former three-term Marikina City mayor who returned to Congress in 2025 after last serving as a representative in 2016.
Teodoro stressed that he was not a member of the House when the DPWH projects were awarded to the Discayas between 2020 and 2021.
"Hindi ako congressman noon na-award ang kontrata sa kanila. Panahon pa iyon ng yumaong Bayani Fernando," he said in a statement.
(I was not a congressman when contracts were awarded to them. It was during the time of the late Bayani Fernando.)
The returning lawmaker called Discaya’s allegation a “diversionary tactic” meant to deflect attention from corruption and anomalies in their own backyard and at the DPWH. He said this is particularly clear after he exposed that one completed project was duplicated in the proposed 2026 budget.
Teodoro added that he has "never asked for or received" money or kickback in exchange for political influence.
Libel, perjury charges sought
Eight other House members who denied the allegations and called them baseless were Rep. Odie Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro, Lone District), Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon, Lone District), Rep. Arjo Atayde (Quezon City, 1st District), Rep. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas (Quezon City, 5th District), Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar (Quezon City, 6th District), Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr. (Laguna, 4th District), Rep. Reynan Uy Arrogancia (Quezon, 3rd District) and Rep. Dean Asistio (Caloocan City, 3rd District).
Tarriela also denied the allegations, saying in a statement: “Wala po akong tinatanggap na anumang pera o pabor mula kay Mr. Discaya” (I do not accept any money or favors from Mr. Discaya). He argued that legislators are not involved in the implementation of DPWH projects.
Madrona, meanwhile, said he does not recall any of his proposed projects being handled by the Discayas, questioning the basis of their allegations.
"I heard he bidded on projects sa aming budget sa Romblon pero I have no hand and knowledge on how he pays those involved!" he added.
Atayde also rejected the allegations, saying he had “never dealt” with the Discayas, while Vargas questioned the construction magnate’s motive. He said his district had no projects handled by the family.
In a fiery privilege hour address, Co-Pilar argued that the Discayas’ list of names should have no place in public discourse due to the lack of evidence and reliance on unverified claims.
"I have never spoken to them, nor have I ever authorized or allowed any representative to deal with them," she said.
San Jose del Monte Mayor Florida Robes, who was previously a legislator, also denied any links to ghost projects.
Several of these lawmakers plan to pursue libel or perjury charges against Discaya, citing baseless accusations.
RELATED: Which House lawmakers denied ties to kickback scheme in gov't projects?
What about Co?
Although Romualdez dismissed the allegations outright, Co, whose family and business ties to contractors and reported budget insertions have been scrutinized, offered only a blanket denial of the claims raised during the Senate hearing.
"I vehemently deny all the baseless and irresponsible accusations made against me during the Senate hearing held today," he said, without specifying if his denial referred to the alleged kickback scheme, the disputed budget insertions, or both.
He has been missing in the lower chamber's sessions since it convened and is reportedly in the United States seeking medical treatment.
This is a developing story.
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