Embattled contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II was transferred from Senate detention to a hospital on Thursday morning to undergo surgery on his injured shoulder.
According to Senate Secretary Mark Llandro “Dong” Mendoza, doctors recommended that Discaya remain in the hospital for four to seven days following the operation.
“Ang advice naman ng doctors niya 4 to 7 days na magstay sa hospital pero kung maaayos naman ‘yung ano niya, kahit 5 days pwede na siya bumalik sa Senate,” Mendoza said.
During an interview on DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan on April 17, Discaya’s legal counsel, Atty. Cornelio Samaniego III, revealed that Curlee needs to undergo surgery after sustaining a serious shoulder injury while in custody. He also said that Discaya underwent an MRI in March, which showed a torn tendon in his right shoulder measuring approximately 1.8 centimeters.
According to a report by RH Jecelle Ricafort on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Discaya, who has been detained at the Senate since September 2025, was taken to an undisclosed medical facility in Southern Metro Manila for physical examination and observation ahead of the procedure.
Discaya’s camp told DZRH News that his surgery is tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 1. They also stressed that the length of his hospital stay will depend on the attending physicians’ assessment, and not on any directive from the Senate. Medical evaluation will determine when he is fit for discharge, which could be around seven days after the operation, subject to his recovery progress and doctors’ recommendation.
Medical findings showed that Discaya is suffering from multiple shoulder conditions, including a rotator cuff tear, bicipital tendinitis, and shoulder impingement syndrome with subacromial bursitis. These conditions involve damage to the tendons and surrounding structures of the shoulder.
An orthopedic surgeon recommended surgery following Discaya’s physical and medical evaluation conducted on March 31.
Doctors estimate that Discaya may need to stay in the hospital for 10 to 14 days for close monitoring and to begin physical therapy.
His full recovery is expected to take six to eight weeks, during which physiotherapy will be mandatory and may be conducted either at a rehabilitation facility or through home service.
Discaya, also known as the “flood control king,” will shoulder the cost of his medical procedure.
Following his recovery period in the hospital, he is expected to be returned to Senate custody, where he will continue his detention while recuperating.
