Court orders arrest of Curlee Discaya, 10 others, over malversation case

MANILA, Philippines — The Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 20 has ordered the arrest of controversial government contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and 10 others for a malversation case in connection with an allegedly anomalous Bulacan flood control project.

The warrant is for Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to malversation of public funds or property, through falsification of public documents in relation to Articles 171(4) and 48.

The case is not bailable.

Also included in the arrest warrant are his wife, Sarah Discaya; as well as St. Timothy Construction executive Ma. Roma Rimando who are already detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail over a similar case linked to a P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental.

The warrant also orders the arrest of former Department of Public Works and Highways engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza who are likewise detained at the New Quezon City Jail while facing charges over an allegedly anomalous P92.8-million infrastructure project in Pandi, Bulacan.

The others also ordered arrested by the Bulacan court are Merg Jason Laus, Ernesto Galang, Norberto Santos, Lorenzo Pagtalunan, Juanito Mendoza and Floralyn Simbulan, according to the warrant.

The Ombudsman lodged the case against them before the Bulacan court on Thursday, linking the charges to the rehabilitation of a river construction structure in Calumpit. /apl