CONTRACTORS Pacifico Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena Discaya, owners of St. Gerard Construction and Alpha and Omega General and Contractor Development Corp., named 23 members of Congress and other government officials who they allege received kickbacks from flood control projects.
In a sworn statement before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, a copy of which was published by ABS-CBN News on Monday, September 8, the couple claimed they handed cash to the lawmakers and other officials for projects implemented with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
They said the transactions were documented with vouchers and ledgers indicating the dates the money was released.
Among the representatives cited by the couple was actor-turned-Rep. Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde of Quezon City.
“Napilitan kaming sumama sa kalakaran kahit labag sa aming kalooban," Mrs. Dizcaya said.
The couple said the kickbacks for lawmakers ranged from 10 to 25%, while some officials even asked for as much as 30%.
In their sworn statement, they noted that the payments were a condition to ensure the smooth implementation of the contracts.
Some DPWH employees who also asked for money told the couple that the funds were intended for a “certain Zaldy Co.”
In their statement, the Dizcayas clarified that they do not have any “ghost projects” and that they were diligent in inspecting all their projects.
They also promised to fully cooperate and testify on the irregularities in the DPWH flood control projects.
