Julia Christine Botin

Article (news)

RG Cruz

Ched Rick Gatchalian

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — Two new witnesses &quot;Joy&quot; and &quot;Maria&quot; told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that flood control scandal contractor Curlee Discaya told them that a house in South Forbes Park was purchased by a company allegedly linked to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The two women faced the committee with their identities and faces shielded for security reasons.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/19/-no-sensitive-files-burned-in-dpwh-car-fire-probe-on-cause-still-underway-bernabe-1610">No sensitive files burned in DPWH CAR fire; probe on cause still underway: Bernabe</a></div>They pointed to Discaya, who was also present in the hearing, as the person allegedly who told them Romualdez bought the house formerly rented by their boss, businessman socialite Rico Ocampo.The women told the panel that they recognized Discaya after he surfaced publicly during the flood control scandal investigations.This was after the house was supposedly purchased, and Ocampo was made to vacate to make way for the new owner.Unable to comply with the deadline to vacate, the women had suggested that they request the new owner for an extension, which was when Discaya supposedly told them who is the new owner.Discaya wanted the two women to be unmasked but the Senate rejected his bid.Discaya could only deny the allegation, saying he&#x27;s never been to that exclusive enclave of the rich and powerful.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/19/dpwh-usec-flood-control-projects-inspection-must-start-over-due-to-wrong-coordinates-1448">Inspection of flood control projects must start over due to wrong coordinates—DPWH usec</a></div>Lacson later revealed that Romualdez&#x27;s name does not appear in the dead of sale, as it was in the name of Golden Peasant Holding Corporation, according to one of the unnamed witnesses.The witness also named the law firm allegedly involved.<div>WITNESSES&#x27; CLAIM VS. ROMUALDEZ &#x27;LOGICALLY, PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE&#x27;</div>Romualdez&#x27;s lawyer Atty. Ade Fajardo issued a statement saying the allegations against the former speaker are &quot;logically and physically impossible&quot;.Fajardo argued that Discaya testified under oath that he has never went to South Forbes Park. He added that Romualdez&#x27;s name is also nowhere to be found in any contract or payment record related to the property.&quot;The allegations aired in the Senate are logically and physically impossible: Curlee Discaya testified under oath that he has never entered South Forbes Park, making it impossible for him to have approached anyone there or issued any instruction,&quot; Fajardo said.&quot;The claims come solely from the staff of an evicted tenant, unsupported by any document, while Martin Romualdez’s name appears in no deed, contract, or payment record related to the property,&quot; Romualdez&#x27;s lawyer continued.Fajardo said there is no evidence proving the Joy or Maria&#x27;s claims,.

Two new witnesses "Joy" and "Maria" told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that flood control scandal contractor Curlee Discaya told them that a house in South Forbes Park was purchased by a company allegedly linked to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Two new witnesses "Joy" and "Maria" told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that flood control scandal contractor Curlee Discaya told them that a house in South Forbes Park was purchased by a company allegedly linked to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

'Joy', 'Maria' link Curlee Discaya to company allegedly owned by Martin Romualdez

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'Joy', 'Maria' link Curlee Discaya to company allegedly owned by Martin Romualdez

RG Cruz,

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 19, 2026 05:32 PM PHT

|

Updated Jan 19, 2026 06:35 PM PHT

Read More:

Joy

Maria

Witnesses

Flood control

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

Curlee Discaya

Martin Romualdez

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