Marilyn Cahatol

Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, owners of St. Gerrard Construction Company, attend a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged ghost flood control projects at the Philippine Senate on September 8, 2025.
Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hEZ-W4jczXw?si=PdGQ3MGe1Tmb9_YV" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Justice on Monday said government contractors Sarah and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya are not cooperating with the department to process their application for the Witness Protection Program (WPP).</p><p>The Discayas’ admission to WPP was discussed as Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon clashed with Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on whether restitution should be required from a witness applicant.</p><p>Marcoleta said the Discaya couple were the first to apply to the program after the Nov. 14 Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, but were not yet admitted due to their &quot;incapacity&quot; to return their alleged ill-gotten wealth.</p><p>The prosecutor general stressed that the DOJ informed the Blue Ribbon Chair Panfilo “Ping” Lacson that the Discaya may go to the DOJ’s office to proceed, but the couple never visited.</p><p>“So yung sinasabi po ni Mr. Discaya, from the hearing of Nov. 14 in the Senate Blue Ribbon, there was never a chance or opportunity that Mr. Discaya and/or counsel even approached the department despite the prodding of the chairman,” Fadullon said during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the flood control scandal.</p><p>Fadullon noted that for an applicant to be admitted under WPP, they should prove that they can support their testimonies with evidence.</p><p>“Hindi po ito kwestiyon ng kung sino ang nauna na nagsalita. Hindi po ito kwestiyon ng kung sino ang unang nagbanggit ng napakaraming pangalan,” he said.</p><p>“Kung hindi rin naman nila kayang suportahan ng ebidensiya at wala rin naman silang maibibigay na magpo-prove o magpapatunay dun sa kanilang mga sinasabi, yan po ang kailangan naming suriin,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/18/are-the-discayas-qualified-for-gov-t-witness-protection-program-2328">Are the Discayas qualified for gov&#x27;t witness protection program?</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>NO LEDGER</strong></div><p>Through Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ inquiry, Curlee disclosed that they have not yet submitted the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/14/senators-press-discaya-couple-where-is-alleged-payoff-ledger-1318">supposed ledger </a>containing their projects, including joint ventures, from 2016 to 2022, to support their allegations against several lawmakers.</p><p>The investigative panel ordered the couple to submit the ledger during the Nov. 14 hearing. Hontiveros said the committee secretary also followed up on the ledger two weeks ago, but to no avail.</p><p>Curlee explained that the Pasig City hall has locked up their office following the revocation of their business permits, barring them and Senate sergeant-at-arms from entering the premises.</p><p>He added that they have no employee left to do the job. “Wala po kaming mautusan.”</p><p>Sen. Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, said the Discaya couple’s non-cooperation with the Senate reflects why they are not yet admitted under WPP.</p><p>He said: “Hindi ako nagtataka bakit hindi tinatanggap sa WPP ang mga Discaya. Dito lang sa Senado hindi na kayo nagko-cooperate eh. Ito’y patunay na mukhang hindi kayo qualified maging witness.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>FADULLON, MARCOLETA CLASHES</strong></div><p>Fadullon and Marcoleta clashed for a few minutes about requiring admitted witnesses to restitute.</p><p>Marcoleta questioned why the DOJ “makes restitution as a condition” for applicants to be admitted under WPP, calling it an “abuse of discretion.”</p><p>Fadullon, however, argued that the department never said restitution is a condition, but is an agreement between the DOJ secretary — representing the department and WPP — and the witness applicant.</p><p>“It is not abuse of discretion if the parties both agree to the terms and conditions contained in the memorandum, then there is no abuse,” he said.</p><p>“Pauli-ulit na po nating sinasabi na ito tayo, naghahanap, naghahabol tayo dun sa mga taong nangungurakot. Tapos itong mga tao na umamin at handang magsoli, ayaw nating tanggapin ang kanilang sinosoli. Ano ho ang nakikitang mali doon?” he said.</p><p>“Para sa amin, para po maibsan kahit papaano yung sakit at pagdurusa ng ating mga kababayan na nakikita nila na napakalaking pera ang nawala, ano ho ba yung maibalik natin ang kaunti?” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/19/senate-blue-ribbon-resumes-flood-control-hearing-1241">What to expect as Senate Blue Ribbon resumes flood control hearing today</a></div>

<p>The Department of Justice on Monday said government contractors Sarah and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya are not cooperating with the department to process their application for the Witness Protection Program (WPP).</p>

The Department of Justice on Monday said government contractors Sarah and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya are not cooperating with the department to process their application for the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

DOJ says Discaya couple not cooperating on Witness Protection Program

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DOJ says Discaya couple not cooperating on Witness Protection Program

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 19, 2026 06:03 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodante Marcoleta

Curlee Discaya

flood control

Department of Justice

Witness Protection Program

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