Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano stated that contractors Pacifico “Curlee” and Sarah Discaya have no chance of becoming state witnesses in the ongoing flood control corruption cases due to their significant involvement in the anomalies.
«Because of their uncooperative behavior, the Discayas absolutely have no chance of becoming state witnesses anymore. The protection they were given was a result of their application to become state witnesses, but now, there’s absolutely no chance of that if they remain hostile,» he said.
«That’s their choice,» Clavano said.
He also warned that the government will no longer show leniency to uncooperative witnesses.
«If they really want to be uncooperative, then the government has no choice but to run after them with every ounce of effort we can muster,» he said.
Clavano further confirmed that the couple will lose their protective witness status under the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program.
«Yes, definitely they will lose it. So it’s impossible that they can be state witnesses for all those crimes they’ve committed. They are now considered hostile witnesses and will face charges as respondents in cases of malversation of public funds, falsification of public documents, and other related crimes,» said Clavano.
He noted that the couple was involved in more than 4,000 project bids across the country, linking them to various fraudulent schemes in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
«We all know that they participated in over 4,000 bids, and in any scam or scheme in the DPWH, they are involved.»
