Sotto Denies Approving State Witness Status for Discaya Couple in Flood Scam

Manila, Philippines — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has denied approving a recommendation to grant state witness status to Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and his wife, Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, in connection with the alleged multibillion-peso flood control scam.

While Senator Rodante Marcoleta pushed for the couple to be admitted as state witnesses, Sotto clarified that he has not signed off on the proposal. Instead, he referred the matter to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, for closer scrutiny.

“I did not approve it. I forwarded the supposed letter to Senator Lacson, and we’ll first discuss it. We’ll probably assess the composition,” Sotto told reporters.

The Senate leader also cast doubt on the extent of the Discayas’ testimony. “As I read it, I asked myself: is this a tell-all, or just a tell-half?” Sotto remarked.

In a letter to Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, Marcoleta had asked that the Discayas be placed under the DOJ’s Witness Protection Program after they named several lawmakers allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.

The Discayas, themselves contractors implicated in the scandal, earlier accused some DPWH officials and legislators of demanding commissions of up to 25% from project budgets. Their bid to become state witnesses remains pending as the Senate weighs the credibility and completeness of their claims.