PUBLIC Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon pushed back against contractor Sarah Discaya’s appeal for sympathy, saying she should explain her case before the courts and police instead of the public.
In a statement, Dizon said Discaya had been giving excuses even as she faced looming charges over alleged irregularities in several flood control projects. “Ang dami niyang sinasabi na kesyo nadamay lang siya,” he said.
Dizon added that with the case moving forward, Discaya must answer the allegations in the proper venue. “Siguro ngayon na may kaso na siya at malapit na ring lumabas ‘yung arrest warrant niya, sinabi na mismo ng Pangulo natin ‘yon, sa Korte na lang at sa presinto na lang siya magpaliwanag,” he added.
The DPWH chief stressed that investigators had strong evidence against Discaya and others implicated in the supposed ghost projects. He also said Discaya should show the same concern for the public allegedly affected by the anomalies.
“Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan, naaawa siya sa pamilya niya, naaawa siya kung kanino, dapat maaawa din siya doon sa mga taong biniktima nila,” he said.
Dizon cited flood victims in Bulacan and Davao Occidental who were relying on flood control projects that were never completed.
“Yung mga taong binabaha sa Bulacan, ‘yung mga taong binabaha doon sa Davao Occidental na kailangang-kailangan noong eskwelahan doon saka ng mga bahay doon, ng flood control pero wala silang ginawa. Ghost projects,” he said.
He also questioned Discaya’s purchase of a Rolls Royce. “Saan niya kinuha ‘yong pinambili niya ng Rolls Royce? Dahil trip lang niya, dahil maganda ang payong. Tapos ngayon, sasabihin niya nadamay lang siya, wala siyang kinalaman?” he said.
Discaya earlier appealed to the public, expressing fear of being separated from her children, who she said live with ADHD, if she is detained over the allegations. “Ang hirap, hindi ko alam kung paano ‘yung mga anak ko. Hindi ko talaga alam,” she said in an emotional statement.
