AUTHORITIES formally served an arrest warrant on contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II on Monday, marking a major step in the legal proceedings surrounding the alleged multi‑million‑peso kickback scheme in government flood control projects.
He faces charges of malversation through falsification of public documents — the same complaints filed against his wife Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya and nine other individuals named in the case.
The warrant was issued last Friday by the Regional Trial Court in Malolos, Bulacan, following the formal filing of graft and malversation cases by the Office of the Ombudsman over irregularities uncovered in a flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan.
Discaya, who had been detained at the Senate premises since September 2025, was officially turned over to the custody of the Philippine National Police‑Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP‑CIDG). Police officers conducted standard booking procedures right at the Senate, including taking his mugshot and fingerprints, before he was escorted into a police vehicle.
He was then transported to Malolos, Bulacan, for the proper return of the warrant and further legal processing. Since his detention began, he had remained in Senate custody after being cited for contempt by the Blue Ribbon Committee for lying about his wife’s whereabouts during the panel’s investigation.
His legal counsel expressed disappointment on his behalf, saying Discaya feels distressed that he now faces imprisonment despite having cooperated with the inquiry and voluntarily shared his side of the story. During the turnover, a medical detail was also noted: Discaya was seen wearing a sling on his left arm, which his lawyer explained was unrelated to any recent incident but part of his recovery from a prior operation on his right shoulder tendon. The physical condition, however, did not stop authorities from proceeding with the arrest and transfer as ordered by the court.
The cases stem from findings by the Ombudsman linking Discaya, his wife, and ten others to alleged irregular transactions involving flood control funds, with evidence pointing to a scheme where portions of project funds were reportedly returned as kickbacks. The Senate’s earlier investigation was one of the key steps that led to the filing of the formal charges, and Discaya’s arrest now moves the matter from legislative inquiry to full judicial proceedings. With him now in police custody, authorities are also pursuing the apprehension of the other accused, including his wife, to ensure all involved face trial before the Bulacan court.
metrosundaily
