9 in Bulacan ghost projects now in government custody

MANILA, Philippines — Nine of 11 people facing graft and malversation charges in connection with an alleged anomalous flood control project in Bulacan are now in government custody after yesterday’s arrest of contractor Curlee Discaya II from the Senate, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

The Philippine National Police yesterday served the arrest warrant against Discaya. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police coordinated with Senate authorities before implementing the warrant, as Discaya was under Senate custody after being cited in contempt during a hearing on the flood control controversy.

“The arrest warrant was implemented in accordance with the law and established procedures in close coordination with the Senate to ensure an orderly, lawful and transparent turnover process,” Nartatez said.

Remulla, in an interview yesterday morning at the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 20 where Discaya was brought for inquest proceedings, said the 11 are facing two separate indictments: Criminal Case 307M202 for violations of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Criminal Case 3573M2026 for Malversation of Public Funds through Falsification of Public Documents.

Aside from Curlee, authorities have detained his co-accused Sarah Discaya, Ma. Angeline Discaya Rimando of St. Timothy Construction, public works employees Merg Jaron Caparas Laus, Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Norberto Santos, Juanito Mendoza and Floralyn Simbulan.

Of these, only Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) employees Ernesto Galang and Lorenzo Pagtalunan remain at large, Remulla said. A manhunt is currently being undertaken for the two.

Warden Enrico Vargas has confirmed that Curlee, Santos and Laus were brought to the Bulacan Provincial Jail at noon yesterday.

The rest are currently in custody at the New Quezon City Jail and the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory. Curlee’s wife, Sarah, is detained in Cebu.

Addressing inquiries on court jurisdiction, Remulla explained that the cases were filed with the regional trial court instead of the Sandiganbayan because the public officials involved hold positions below Salary Grade 24.

The Sandiganbayan only assumes jurisdiction over cases involving officials at Salary Grade 24 or higher, he explained.

Authorities are currently awaiting the return of the arrest warrants and the formal commitment orders from the presiding judge to determine the permanent detention facilities for the suspects.

“We are waiting for the commitment order of our judge on where they will be jailed, but in all probability, they will be detained here in Bulacan,” Remulla said.

‘Politicians used and then abandoned me’

Curlee Discaya yesterday accused unnamed politicians of abandoning and using him, claiming his arrest was intended to silence him.

In a statement released after his arrest, Discaya said he was detained at the Senate for nine months and later arrested after he disclosed the names of some politicians allegedly linked to irregularities.

“Politicians used me and then abandoned me. I was jailed in the Senate to silence me,” he said.

“Now that I am no longer in the Senate, I will name more politicians. Everyone will be dragged into this,” Discaya added.

He maintained that he and his company had no “ghost” or substandard projects and insisted that all contracted works were completed in accordance with government specifications.

“We have no ghost projects and no substandard projects. We fulfilled our contracts 100 percent, and there are insurance and warranty bonds that the government can claim if defects are found,” Discaya said.

He claimed that he had already identified 17 people who remain in positions of power, and alleged that he possesses information involving more than 150 others.

Meanwhile, former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan – the co-accused in the plunder and corruption case filed against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in relation to anomalous flood control projects – was transferred back to the PNP General Hospital yesterday after several days under hospital arrest at The Medical City. — Ramon Efren Lazaro, Mark Ernest Villeza