PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday rejected claims by contractor Curlee Discaya that his group felt they were being “robbed” after the Department of Justice allegedly asked how much they could return to the government.
Discaya made the remark during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, saying he could not specify an amount because, in his view, they were the ones being wronged.
Speaking to reporters at the Sandiganbayan, Dizon said contractors involved in the case should return the money taken from public funds instead of portraying themselves as victims.
“Dapat naman magsoli sila, ninakaw nila ’yung pera ng tao,” Dizon said. “Tapos narinig ko pa, sinabi daw niya, parang sila pa raw ang nanakawan. Medyo makapal din talaga ang mukha nitong si Curlee Discaya e kitang-kita namin lahat ng ebidensya laban sa kanila.”
Dizon said the contractors should focus on answering the cases filed against them, noting that Discaya’s wife is already in detention.
“Siguro, humarap na lang sila doon sa mga kaso nila. ’Yung asawa niya, nakakulong na. Harapin na lang nila ’yung mga kaso tapos ibalik na lang ’yung pera ng mga kababayan natin,” he added.
Earlier, DOJ Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon denied Discaya’s claim, saying the couple must first substantiate their statements before any return of funds and possible inclusion in the Witness Protection Program could be considered.
