Two new witnesses identified as “Joy” and “Maria” told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that Curlee Discaya, a contractor in the flood control controversy, told them that a house in South Forbes Park was purchased by a company allegedly connected to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
In their explanation to the committee, their faces and identities were shielded for security reasons. According to them, they met Discaya after he went public in connection with the investigation into the flood control scandal. They pointed to Discaya as the person who told them about the new owner of the house that their boss used to rent, businessman and socialite Rico Ocampo.
Witnesses said that after purchasing the house, Ocampo was evicted to make way for the new owner. When they could not immediately complete the deadline for vacating, they suggested asking for an extension from the new owner, and Discaya allegedly mentioned who the buyer was. The Senate stated that it would not allow the two women to be unmasked, even if Discaya wanted it.
On the other hand, Romualdez's lawyer, Atty. Ade Fajardo, said the allegation against the former speaker is “logically and physically impossible”. He said Discaya stated under oath that he has never been to South Forbes Park, and Romualdez's name is not on any deed, contract, or payment record related to the said property.
Fajardo ultimately emphasized that Joy and Maria's statements were not supported by documents and only came from the staff of an evicted tenant. The Senate continues its investigation, while there remains no concrete evidence to prove Romualdez's connection to the said property.
