Bulacan court orders arrest of Curlee Discaya over flood control malversation case

A Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Malolos City, Bulacan has issued a warrant of arrest against contractor Curlee Discaya and several co-accused in connection with a malversation case linked to alleged corruption in flood control projects.

Malolos City RTC Branch 20 Presiding Judge Mirasol Dychingco directed the arrest of Discaya along with Merg Jaron Laus, Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, Ernesto Galang, Norberto Santos, Lorenzo Pagtalunan, Juanito Mendoza, Floralyn Simbulan, Roma Angeline Rimando, and Cezarah Rowena Discaya.

Several of the accused, including Discaya's wife Sarah, Hernandez, and Mendoza, are already in detention due to separate cases involving flood control projects. Since malversation is a non-bailable offense, those who are not yet under detention will remain in custody once arrested.

The case was filed by the Office of the Ombudsman after investigators found that payments for a P53.9-million flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan were released despite the absence of an approved disbursement voucher.

Investigators also alleged that government funds were paid to St. Timothy Construction Corporation, owned by the Discayas, for dredging and embankment works without supporting documents or a valid basis for computing project costs. Discaya is currently being held at the Senate after being cited in contempt in 2025.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will take him into custody from the Senate and process him at Camp Crame.

At the PNP headquarters, Discaya will undergo standard booking procedures, including a medical examination, fingerprinting, and mug shot documentation, before being presented to the court for the return of the warrant.

Remulla said Discaya is expected to be transferred to the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday,

June 8.

“Upon advice of [Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian], since the courts are closed, he will be released to us Monday morning,” Remulla told the Inquirer in a text message.

“We will book him in the Senate and bring him straight to Bulacan,” he added.