Quezon City First District Rep. Arjo Atayde strongly denied allegations made by controversial contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya linking him to alleged kickbacks from government flood control projects.
In the September 8 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, the Discasayas named several lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials whom they accused of demanding between 10% to 25% of project amounts as a condition for contract implementation.
Atayde immediately issued a statement on social media, stressing that the accusations against him were false and malicious.
“I categorically deny the allegation that I benefited from any contractor. I have never dealt with them. Hindi po totoo ang mga akusasyon na ito,” Atayde wrote.
He added: “I have never used my position for personal gain, and I never will. I will avail of all remedies under the law to clear my name and hold accountable those who spread these falsehoods.”
The lawmaker’s name also surfaced in a recent interview of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Karmina Constantino’s ‘KC After Hours’ vlog, where she flagged a pumping station in Matalahib Creek, Brgy. Talayan, which she said was not part of the city’s drainage master plan.
Belmonte said she had personally approached Atayde, whose district covers the area, but that the congressman denied any knowledge of the project and expressed willingness to cooperate in her investigation.
The clip of the interview quickly circulated online, fueling negative comments from some netizens against the actor-turned-lawmaker.
As of this writing, Atayde has maintained his innocence and vowed to pursue legal action to protect his name.
