THE Office of the Ombudsman has formally lodged criminal complaints against controversial contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and 10 other individuals in connection with an alleged irregular flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan.
The official filing was confirmed by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro during a briefing on Thursday, where she disclosed that the cases were submitted earlier in the day before the Malolos Regional Trial Court. Named alongside Discaya were several officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), all implicated in the questionable implementation of infrastructure works in Barangay Bulusan, Calumpit.
According to Castro, the charges were filed under the leadership of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, covering multiple offenses related to corruption and misuse of government resources.
These include violations of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti‑Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as criminal counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of official documents. The cases stem from findings that the project involved misuse of public funds and falsified records, part of a wider pattern of irregularities observed in flood control contracts awarded to the Discaya‑linked firms starting back in 2016.
Authorities noted that the Discaya group became prominent in public construction projects from 2016 onwards, securing multiple contracts under the DPWH that later became subjects of investigation due to poor quality, unfinished works, and questionable disbursements.
Curlee Discaya himself has been in Senate custody since September 2025, after he was cited for contempt by the Blue Ribbon Committee during its inquiry into the multi-billion peso flood control fund anomalies. His continued detention followed his refusal to cooperate fully and answer questions regarding the alleged overpricing and substandard execution of government projects.
The filing of cases marks a significant step in holding accountable those responsible for what authorities described as the plunder of public funds intended for vital disaster mitigation infrastructure. The government emphasized that the legal action reflects its commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring that public funds are used solely for their intended purpose. With the cases now in court, the administration assured the public that it will pursue the prosecution vigorously, while also reviewing past contracts to identify and remedy any other similar irregularities that may have occurred in previous years.
