Rep. Luistro dismisses Curlee Discaya’s belief of becoming a state witness.

Contractor Curlee Discaya: “What is happening to us now is shameful. We are like thieves when we did not steal. We were just forced to do this because they are mutually terminating our projects.”
PHOTO/S: House of Representatives of the Philippines Facebook

A day before Sarah Discaya appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on September 1, 2025, she, her husband Curlee Discaya, and their children attended church at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Manaoag, Pangasinan, on August 31.

The family used face masks so people wouldn’t recognize them.

But their presence was still noticed because their pictures have been appearing in newspapers and social media for several days, ever since the scandal over flood control projects broke out.

In the priest’s sermon, he mentioned corruption and anomalies in the government’s flood control projects.

The officiating priest also listed the names of the construction companies involved.

The Discaya family heard this and their feelings were hurt.

Read: Vico Sotto warns public not to be deceived by Discayas’ lies

CURLEE DISCAYA GRILLED BY REP. GERVILLE LUISTRO

On Tuesday, September 9, Curlee attended a House Infrastructure Committee hearing regarding controversial flood control projects.

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He wasn’t with Sarah because she was reportedly feeling unwell.

According to Curlee, Sarah is experiencing “heart palpitations” and increased insulin levels due to the tension she feels.

His wife is also reportedly taking care of their four children who are also affected by their own major problems.

Batangas Second District Representative Atty. Gerville Luistro was one of those who questioned Curlee during yesterday’s hearing.

The center of Luistro’s inquiry was the sworn statement read by the couple at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, September 8, 2025.

Contractor Curlee Discaya being questioned by Rep. Gerville Luistro. 
Photo/s: GMA Integrated News

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Luistro’s first question: “Aren’t you afraid of going to jail?”

Curlee replied: “Afraid, Your Honor.”

Luistro: “Aren’t you afraid your husband will go to jail?”

Curlee: “Afraid, Your Honor.”

Luistro: “Aren’t you afraid that you and your wife will be separated from your children?”

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Curlee: “Afraid, Your Honor.”

Luistro: “Then why? Why did you execute this affidavit?”

THE DISCAYAS VS “12O MILLION FILIPINOS” and politicians

The lawmaker is referring to the sworn statement of Curlee and Sarah in which they named congressmen and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who allegedly gave a large percentage of the funds from their construction company’s flood control projects for the government.

In his response, Curlee said he feared for his and his family’s safety.

He also said he felt that “120 million Filipinos” wanted to kill them because of the issue they were involved in.

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But he also feels that it is not the Filipinos who will kill them but the politicians they have named.

Curlee said: “Your Honor, we are more afraid [for] our lives now because the people are surrounding us.

“That’s why we executed this affidavit because 120 million Filipinos seem to want to kill us, and we are the ones being talked about in church masses.”

The contractor added: “That’s why I was forced… to be honest, my relatives were forced to want to talk because it seemed like we were together.

“It’s like all 120 million Filipinos want to kill us.”

“So now, my wife and I have decided that it would be better for those we have named here to be our enemies.”

“We know that this is the only one who will kill us, these people, not the 120 million Filipinos who want to kill us.”

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CURLEE DISCAYA DENIES “THIEF” TAG

Curlee strongly denied accusations that he and Sarah are thieves.

His reason was that they were forced to give commissions to the people they referred so that their projects would not be stopped.

“And what’s happening to us now seems shameful. We’re like thieves when we didn’t steal.”

“We were forced to do this because they mutually terminated our projects. We were not charged…

“That’s why we just shouted it out because my husband and I had to choose—a kilo of cotton or a kilo of gold?

“We chose one kilo of gold because, first of all, they are both heavy, the cotton and the gold.”

“They are both heavy, but we chose the gold one.”

Curlee added: “Even if we die tomorrow or these few politicians kill us, we know that we have the honor to die rather than have all Filipinos in the Philippines kill us.”

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“Wherever we go — to the ends of Mindanao, Luzon, and Visayas — it seems like all Filipinos are our enemies.

“While now, we fear for our lives, we know who our enemies are.”

CURLEE DISCAYA ON BECOMING A “STAR WITNESS”

Curlee seems to believe that he and Sarah will become state witnesses because of their sworn statements.

This can be noticed in the tone of his speech.

He said: “Those we named, these are the only enemies we know. Our enemy is not 120 million Filipinos.”

“So I hope you will forgive us, because the other contractors who will be witnesses, if you punish me for what I did, you will scold me, there will be no other contractors in the entire Philippines who will scream because, first of all, they will be afraid of what will happen to me.”

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“What will happen is, it’s like we’re giving a signal to various contractors, ‘Hey, look at what happened to Curlee and then to Sarah, will you do the same to be a star witness?’

“They won’t scream anymore. It’s like we’re inviting everyone to be the star witness.”

Luistro shattered Curlee’s misconceptions and beliefs by explaining the reasons for a person involved in a case to become a state witness.

Sabi ni Luistro kay Curlee: “I wish to believe that you are not yet a witness much less a state witness, and that reminds me as well of Paragraph 33 of your affidavit. Who gave you the idea about state witness?”

Curlee replied: “I also asked our lawyers.”

Luistro: “What do you understand about becoming a state witness? Who decides for you to become a state witness?”

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Curlee: “Ah… the President and then the Senate.”

Luistro countered: “I don’t think so, Mr. Discaya.

“Becoming a state witness is a decision that comes from the court and not from you, and there are requirements that we have to consider.

“If I may share these to the public, under the rules of court, to become a state witness, number one, there must be an absolute necessity for the testimony.

“Number two, it can be corroborated.

“Number three, no other direct evidence.

“Number four, no previous conviction.

“Number five, the accused must appear as not the most guilty.”

Tanong ni Luistro kay Curlee: “Do you think with these requirements, the court will approve your application to become a state witness?”

Curlee replied: “Yes, Your Honor.”

Luistro: “Do you appear as not most guilty?”

Curlee: “Yes po, Your Honor.”

From Curlee’s answers, it seems that his mind has been conditioned to believe that he is innocent of the charges against him.

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Rep. Luistro reminded him again: “But you have to realize nonetheless, Mr. Discaya, it is not you who decides.

“It is the court who decides whether you will be admitted or not as a state witness.

“And if you are not admitted as state witness, definitely then you will be one of the co-accused.

“And with your admission that you made already in the Senate and before this committee, I think the offense of plunder is already established.

“That is why I wish to go back to the question, what made you decide to execute this affidavit considering the very complicated consequences of your admission?”

The lawmaker also reminded Curlee that proven plunderers are punished with no bail and life imprisonment.