Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto minced no words at the House infrastructure committee hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 9, as he called out contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya for their alleged lies about their role in anomalous flood control projects.
Twisting the old saying “Ang sinungaling ay kapatid ng magnanakaw,” Sotto declared: “Ang sinungaling ay asawa ng magnanakaw.”
The Discaya couple, owners of Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Dev’t Corp. and St. Timothy Construction Corp., are among the top 15 contractors earlier flagged by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for cornering billions worth of DPWH projects.
Sotto, who won to Sarah in the May 2025 mayoral race, said the Discayas’ testimonies were riddled with contradictions.
“Marami nga po tayong naobserbahan… Kasinungalingan po talaga at lantarang kasinungalingan naman po ‘yung mga sinasabi nito. Hindi naman po bago sa kanila ang pagsisinungaling,” he told lawmakers.
He zeroed in on the couple’s sworn statement that they only earn “2 to 3 percent profit” from projects.
“No sane business person would do that. Obvious na obvious na kasinungalingan ito. Kung 2–3% lang kinikita nila, paano sila nagkaroon ng at least ₱10 billion na assets gaya ng ipinagyabang nila mismo?” Sotto asked, recalling Sarah’s past interviews where she flaunted their “11-digit” wealth, jade collections, and luxury cars.
The mayor also revealed that all nine Discaya-owned companies are registered in Pasig, with multiple tax deficiencies and violations. He noted that Curlee had even been convicted of building code offenses.
Sotto warned the public not to fall for the couple’s “paawa effect,” saying they may be trying to confuse the narrative and angle themselves as state witnesses.
“Gusto nila lituhin tayo. Gusto nila na hindi na natin malalaman kung ano ang totoo para, eventually, mawawala na lang na parang bula,” he said.
He added: “Of course, there are guilty senators, congressmen, DPWH officials, and contractors. Pero sa puntong ito, malinaw na ginagamit tayo ng mga Discaya. They are capable of lying without batting an eyelash.”
Earlier, the Discayas admitted paying 10–25 percent ‘SOP’ cuts to government officials to secure projects, but claimed they had “no choice.” They have since dragged several legislators into the scandal, including Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, who has yet to respond.
