Contractor spouses Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya remain open to serving as state witnesses in the government’s investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
This was revealed on Wednesday, Dec. 10, by their legal counsel, Cornelio Samaniego III, during an interview on DZBB.
Sarah voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday, Dec. 9, ahead of a possible arrest order from the Digos City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
She and several suspended officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Occidental have been charged with graft and non-bailable malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.
Curlee has been under Senate detention since Sept. 23.
Ma. Roma Angeline Discaya Rimando, an executive officer of the Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction, surrendered to police last Monday, Dec. 8.
Samaniego said that it is up to the government to utilize the Discayas as state witnesses “if the testimonies of the Discayas are material in convicting those whom the prosecutors want to be convicted.”
He pointed out, however, that only the courts will determine whether the Discayas have to return money to the government. “Only the courts will determine and order restitution,” he said.
On Sarah’s surrender to the NBI, Samaniego said that the issue had been discussed and the voluntary surrender was done to avoid harassment and other problems.
The surrender is “part of our legal strategies,” he explained. (Jeffrey Damicog)
