The government contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya are set to appear once again before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) in Taguig City on Wednesday, October 15.
RH Jecelle Ricafort reported that according to ICI Executive Director Atty. Brian Hosaka, the Discaya couple is expected to attend the hearing.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan, Atty. Cornelio Samaniego, legal counsel for the Discaya couple, confirmed their attendance at the hearing, adding that they are expected to arrive at around 1:00 p.m. to submit specific documents.
"Mayroon po silang, isasubmit na dokumento," Samaniego confirmed, though he did not elaborate on their nature or purpose.
Curlee Discaya remains in Senate custody after being cited in contempt in a previous hearing. His camp has filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the legality of his detention.
"Last hearing we will given until today, October 15 the simultaneous filing until 5:00PM of our spective memoranda both from the petitioner and the respondent," Samaniego explained.
"'Pag na-grant po iyon [habeas corpus] hopefully, immediately kailangan palayain po siya because there is no legal basis to detain him," he added.
Last week, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed tax evasion complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the Discaya couple, citing over ₱7.1 billion in unpaid taxes from 2018 to 2021. Samaniego declined to comment further on the matter but emphasized that another lawyer from the Discaya camp will handle the case.
Earlier, the Discayas requested a seven-day postponement of ICI proceedings to secure unspecified documents, a motion that was granted by the commission.
Ex DPWH Usec. Bernardo skips ICI hearing
Meanwhile, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who was also expected to appear before the commission today has asked for a deferment of his testimony, citing 'health reasons.'
Hosaka confirmed Bernardo’s request, and said that he is reportedly ill but added that the commission has yet to receive details of his condition or a new date for his next appearance.
Last week, Bernardo also sought a one-week extension from the ICI to gather documents related to the ongoing probe. He previously implicated several senators and congressmen in an alleged kickback scheme involving DPWH infrastructure projects.
The ICI is an independent body that investigates alleged corruption and questionable transactions in public works contracts, particularly those involving flood control projects.
