Vico warns public: Don’t be fooled by Discayas’ flood scam testimony

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has urged the public to stay vigilant against efforts to distort the truth in the Senate’s ongoing probe into the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.

Speaking at a House tri-committee hearing, Sotto cautioned against taking at face value the explosive testimonies of controversial couple Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” and Pacific “Curlee” Discaya, who linked several lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials to alleged kickbacks.

“While I have no doubt that some of the names they mentioned could be true, they need to present evidence,” Sotto stressed. “Right now, what we’re seeing is people throwing each other under the bus to muddle the narrative and confuse us, so we don’t get to the truth.”

He warned that the Discayas were “capable of lying without batting an eyelash” and said their claims should be carefully scrutinized.

The couple recently volunteered to become state witnesses, alleging that at least 17 lawmakers and seven DPWH officials demanded kickbacks of up to 25% from government contracts. Among those named was Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, Sotto’s political ally, who has categorically denied any dealings with the Discayas. TRACY CABRERA