Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has declined to sign a request that would have placed Curlee and Sara Discaya under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).
The request came from Senator Rodante Marcoleta, the former chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which earlier launched a probe into alleged massive corruption in government flood control projects.
Marcoleta’s letter was addressed to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, but without Sotto’s signature, it carries no weight.
When asked in a brief interview, Sotto explained that he could not approve the request just yet. He said he first needs to discuss the matter with Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, the newly appointed chairman of the Blue Ribbon panel.
The Senate President’s office later released a copy of Marcoleta’s letter, confirming it had no signature from Sotto.
For now, the fate of the Discayas in securing protection remains uncertain—hanging on a decision that could shape the direction of the ongoing corruption probe.
