Corruption allegations in Philippine flood control: contractors claim payments from lawmakers, deep-rooted corruption exposed

Philippines: Couple at the Heart of Flood Control Scandal Testify Against Corrupt Politicians

In a shocking turn of events, the "king and queen of flood control" in the Philippine construction industry, Cezarah "Sarah" Discaya and Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya, have testified about corrupt politicians and DPWH officials pressuring them for illicit payments.

The couple, along with their son, Gerrard William Francisco Discaya, are well-known figures in the industry, with their companies, Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation and St. Timothy Construction Corporation, being involved in government flood control projects since 2022.

According to the couple, these corrupt officials demanded "no less than 10 per cent and even up to 25 per cent" of contract values as illicit payments, which they referred to as a "standard procedure" in public infrastructure bidding.

The Discayas' companies have been named among the top 15 contractors for government flood control projects since 2022, worth 100 billion pesos. They have been awarded 345 solo and joint projects worth 25.2 billion Philippine pesos (US$440.6 million) since their inception.

Nine construction companies, including the Discayas' businesses, are linked to them, handling infrastructure projects related to flood control, roads, and building construction.

However, no direct link has been established between House Speaker Martin Romualdez and his ally Zaldy Co, who were allegedly name-dropped as supposed beneficiaries by the corrupt officials, and the Discayas' companies.

The political allies of Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co mentioned in the statements by Cezarah "Sarah" Discaya and Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya in connection with corrupt payments related to the Philippines flood control scandal have not been specifically named.

The Discayas' companies, not limited to Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation and St. Timothy Construction Corporation, have been handling infrastructure projects related to flood control, roads, and building construction.

This revelation comes after a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, where the Discayas spoke about the pressure they faced from corrupt politicians. The illicit payments demanded by lawmakers, according to the Discayas, range from "no less than 10 per cent and even up to 25 per cent" of contract values.

The ongoing investigation into the flood control scandal promises to shed more light on the intricate web of corruption in the Philippine construction industry.

Corruption allegations in Philippine flood control: contractors claim payments from lawmakers, deep-rooted corruption exposed