The Office of the Ombudsman announced on Monday that Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II is now among those undergoing preliminary investigation in connection with his alleged involvement in the ₱96 million “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental.

In a press conference, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said that the anti-graft body now has evidence and affidavits from various individuals, proving Discaya was in control of St. Timothy Construction Company, which had secured numerous contracts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), reported RH 5 Val Gonzales.

“A manifestation was given by the DPWH, through Secretary Vince Dizon, now impleading Mr. Curlee Discaya in the same case sa Davao Occidental, where his wife (Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya) is already impleaded,” Clavano said.

“So nagkaroon ng revelation doon sa affidavits ng iba’t ibang tao na si Curlee Discaya ang may beneficial ownership o nage-exercise po ng control doon sa mga kumpanya na sangkot dito sa Davao Occidental na kaso,” he added.

Clavano said that the Ombudsman has formed an investigating panel and will give Discaya a chance to respond to the charges, in line with due process.

St. Timothy Construction Corp. is only one of many companies owned by the Discaya couple and is part of the Top 15 firms that cornered multibillion-peso projects from the DPWH and are responsible for substandard if not “ghost” or non-existent projects.