The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Malolos, Bulacan has issued a warrant of arrest against contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, his wife Cezarah, and nine other individuals in connection with alleged irregularities in a flood control project in Bulacan.
The arrest order was issued a day after the Office of the Ombudsman filed charges for malversation through falsification of public documents and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against the Discaya couple and nine co-accused: Merg Jaron Laus, Brice Ericson Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Ernesto Galang, Norberto Santos, Lorenzo Pagtalunan, Juanito Coronel Mendoza, Floralyn Simbulan, and Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando.
The court recommended no bail for all 11 accused.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Discaya, who is currently under Senate custody, will be transferred to Bulacan on Monday, June 8.
“He’s in Senate custody now. The RTC that issued the warrant is closed already ’til Monday. We will get him from the Senate on Monday and bring him to Bulacan,” Remulla said.
The charges stem from the rehabilitation of a river control structure along Bulusan in Calumpit, Bulacan under Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Contract ID No. 22CC0058.
According to Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, investigators found multiple violations of government auditing and accounting rules during the implementation of the project.
“The findings of the Office of the Ombudsman reveal an utter and flagrant disregard for government auditing and accounting regulations. Specifically, investigators discovered that payments for the project’s first billing were released despite an unapproved Disbursement Voucher,” Clavano said.
He added that full payments for dredging and embankment works were allegedly released without proper computation and supporting documents to justify project accomplishments.
Clavano said the alleged irregularities resulted in unwarranted benefits amounting to approximately P53.9 million for St. Timothy Construction Corporation, causing significant financial injury to the government.
