MANILA, Philippines — Contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and his wife, Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya, appeared at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday to apply for coverage under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Discaya II, clad in a bulletproof vest and escorted by law enforcement, arrived in the morning and was later joined by wife Sarah for the formal evaluation. Both submitted affidavits for review to determine if their testimony met the standards for state protection, according to DOJ officials.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla personally met with Discaya II during the process. According to DOJ spokesmen Mico Clavano IV, the session included an initial reading of his affidavit, but stressed that the appearance was part of procedure and did not guarantee WPP admission.
The Discayas’ application comes in the middle of congressional inquiries and separate audits into alleged irregularities in multibillion-peso flood-control projects linked to their companies. Lawmakers and investigators have raised doubts about the couple’s eligibility as state witnesses, citing inconsistencies in their earlier testimonies that could expose them to liability.
Senator Francis Pangilinan was among those who questioned the move, noting that the couple’s shifting statements undermined their credibility. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee had cited Discaya II in contempt for changing his explanations after his wife failed to attend a hearing.
The DOJ has maintained that cooperation alone was not enough to secure WPP coverage, particularly for individuals who may have acted as co-conspirators rather than reluctant participants. Officials said the evaluation would consider the gravity of the Discayas’ disclosures, the presence of corroborating documents, and their value to ongoing cases.
The controversy over the flood-control contracts has widened in recent weeks. The Commission on Audit (COA) flagged millions of pesos in projects as substandard, overpriced, or nonexistent, while legislators pressed for more contractors to be assessed for possible protection. Watchdogs, meanwhile, warned that those implicated should face prosecution if evidence shows culpability.
The DOJ has yet to announce when it will decide on the Discayas’ application.
