Kickback Claims Rock Philippine Congress; Speaker Embroiled in Contract Scandal

House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, along with contractors Sarah and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, are allegedly working together on a ghost project for flood control.

Kickback Claims Rock Philippine Congress; Speaker Embroiled in Contract Scandal

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com  l  September 10, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A sweeping corruption scandal is threatening to engulf the House of Representatives, with allegations of a widespread kickback scheme centered around infrastructure projects and implicating House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Construction contractors Sarah and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya are seeking state witness protection, after claiming they were forced to pay substantial commissions to government officials to secure billions in  contracts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Testifying before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the Discayas, who own several construction firms, alleged that public officials routinely demanded kickbacks ranging from 10%  to a staggering 25% of the project value.

“They wouldn’t allocate the project unless you provided the kickback first,” Curlee testified at a Senate hearing, painting a picture of systemic coercion and corruption.

“These officials exploited us within this system,” Discaya lamented, “leaving us with no choice but to comply, or face issues like mutual termination or right-of-way complications, both of which could lead to project cancellations.”

While the Discayas named numerous individuals, including political rival Rep.

Roman Romulo of Pasig City (who has vehemently denied the accusations), the most explosive allegations targeted Speaker Romualdez.

According to Curlee, Rep. Marvin Rillo of Quezon City’s 4th District allegedly cited Romualdez as having authorized budget allocations from unprogrammed funds in exchange for a cut of the proceeds.

Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang purportedly referred to both Romualdez and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co as demanding their share of the funds.

The Discayas claimed to have meticulously documented cash commission payments in a ledger, now subpoenaed by the Senate.

Many of the alleged transactions reportedly took place at a wine bar in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, adding a layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama.

Beyond Romualdez, the Discayas’ testimony implicated a long list of members of the House Representatives, accusing them of either directly receiving kickbacks or using intermediaries.

The list includes:

• Roman Romulo (Pasig Lone District),
• James Ang (Uswag Ilonggo Party-list),
• Patrick Michael Vargas (Quezon City 5th District),
• Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde (Quezon City 1st District),
• Nicanor Briones (Agap Partylist),
• Marcelino Teodoro (Marikina 1st District);
• Florida Robes (formerly of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, now mayor of the same city),
• Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon Lone District),
• Benjamin Agarao Jr. (Laguna 4th District);
• Florencio Gabriel Noel (formerly of An-Waray Partylist),
• Leody Tarriela (Occidental Mindoro Lone District),
• Reynante Arrogancia (Quezon 3rd District),
• Marvin Rillo (Quezon City 4th District),
• Teodorico Haresco Jr. (formerly of Aklan 2nd District);
• Antonieta Eudela (formerly of Zamboanga Sibugay 2nd District),
• Dean Asistio (Caloocan City 3rd District), and
• Marivic Co Pillar (Quezon City 6th District)

Several officials from the DPWH and a former undersecretary from the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas have also been implicated in the alleged scheme.

Romualdez Denies Allegations

Romualdez has denied the accusations, saying “the assertion in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was utilized for commissions is false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping.”

“I assure you, I have never accepted, nor will I ever accept, a bribe from anyone,” he said.

Other lawmakers named in the testimony have also denied the allegations.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, is collaborating with the Department of Justice to determine whether the Discayas will be granted state witness status.

The courts will ultimately decide, based on whether the Discayas are deemed the least culpable parties involved in the alleged corruption.

The unfolding scandal raises serious questions about the integrity of public works projects and the potential for deeply rooted corruption within the House of Representatives. House of Representatives.