Senate Hearing Exposes Trillions in Flood Control Kickbacks; Romualdez, Co Implicated in Ghost Projects

“Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, contractors couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Senate Hearing Exposes Trillions in Flood Control Kickbacks; Romualdez, Co Implicated in Ghost Projects

By Wilma N. Yamzon – TheNationWeek.Com | September 19, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigating the multi-billion peso kickback scheme in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has implicated prominent figures, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, in alleged “ghost” flood control projects.

Revelations unfolded during a hearing on Thursday (Sept. 18, 2025), wherein Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya was cited for contempt for providing inconsistent testimony on the whereabouts of his wife, Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya, who is also implicated in the kickback scheme.

The couple, who testified at a Senate hearing on Sept. 8, allegedly implicated several lawmakers and DPWH officials who received millions in kickbacks from cornered projects.

The investigation centers on phantom flood control projects, substandard infrastructure, and potential bid-rigging within the DPWH from 2022 to 2024.

Senators are scrutinizing contractors and DPWH personnel suspected of being involved in the pervasive corruption.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo initiated the contempt charge against Curlee after discrepancies surfaced between his testimony and a letter submitted by his wife.

Discaya initially claimed his wife’s absence was due to a heart condition, while her letter cited a prior meeting with employees.

“What he is saying is very inconsistent. They are husband and wife, and it’s impossible they are unaware of each other’s health condition. They are fooling us,” Tulfo declared, expressing frustration with the couple’s conflicting accounts.

Former Bulacan DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara was also held in contempt for denying knowledge of the ghost projects, despite evidence presented linking him to questionable flood control initiatives.

Committee chairperson Sen. Panfilo Lacson stressed that Alcantara’s denials contradicted documented records and testimonies.

While the full extent of Romualdez and Co’s alleged involvement remains under investigation, the Senate’s findings point to a deeply entrenched system of corruption within the DPWH, potentially diverting billions of pesos intended for critical infrastructure.

The Department of Justice is reportedly preparing charges against those involved in the “ghost” projects within the next 40 days.