Flood control scandal being used in demolition job vs QC solons, says anti-graft group
A Quezon City anti-corruption advocate has slammed embattled contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya for tagging QC lawmakers in the ongoing flood control scandal, claiming that the issue was being weaponized by their political rivals in Quezon City.
In a press briefing in Kamuning Bakery on Friday, Quezon City Against Corruption (QCAC) Chairman Janno Orate said that allegations that Quezon City lawmakers benefited from the flood control scandal were being fueled by their political rivals who lost in the previous election.
"So, napapansin kasi namin dito sa imbestigasyon na nangyayari na parang ang gulo na. At napansin din namin na parang nagagamit na ng mga politiko dito sa QC yung fake news na. Iba na yung nangyayari, pinupulitika na," said Orate.
He also slammed one newly-established anti-corruption group that recently threatened to sue the lawmakers for their alleged involvement in the flood control issues without the conduct of a proper investigation.
“We, the QCAC, always investigate first before we criticize and organize press conferences. Galit kami sa korapsyon. But due process is very important and must be observed because what we want is for the genuinely guilty to be punished," he stressed.
"How can they call themselves an anti-corruption group? It's like they were just formed in order to destroy somebody’s credibility."
Orate didn’t mention the name of the newly-formed anti-crime group, but the anti-corruption champion said its actions were obviously politically motivated, as all of the QC lawmakers implicated have the capability to run for mayor in the 2028 election.
Orate specifically mentioned Quezon City Representatives Patrick Michael Vargas and Marivic Co-Pilar as having no flood control projects in the city amid claims by the Discaya couple that they allegedly received kickbacks from these so-called "ghost projects."
"Pero kung titignan mo dun sa sinabi niya ngayon na hindi niya rin nakita personal at hindi niya nakakasama at nakakaharap ngayon ay dinedeny na ni Discaya, so ang gulo, kaya minsan nakakalungkot dahil kung talagang sila ay guilty dito sa mga ghost project na ito, hayaan muna natin ang ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) na ang mag-imbestiga," Orate said.
He also said that he was surprised that Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde was also being tagged in the anomalous flood control projects.
“Nung ini-imbestigahan ng Quezon City Against Corruption, yung inaalam-alam lang namin nagtatanong, nung binabasa namin parang malabo eh. Alam mo yun. Pero nakikita ko sa kanya, target siya dito sa demolition yung nangyayari kay Arjo Atayde, kasi alam ko, artista yan eh,” explained Orate.
He, however, stressed that if the ICI determines that these lawmakers are involved in corruption in flood control projects, the QCAC will support the filing of charges against them.
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