Flood Control scandal being politicized to discredit QC Lawmakers — Anti-Graft Group

A Quezon City-based anti-corruption group has decried what it claims is the politicization of the ongoing flood control scandal, accusing a controversial contractor couple of dragging local lawmakers into the issue as part of a politically motivated demolition job.

At a press conference held Friday at Kamuning Bakery, Quezon City Against Corruption (QCAC) Chairman Janno Orate called out contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya for linking QC legislators to the flood control controversy. He alleged that the accusations are being fueled by political opponents who lost in previous elections and are now using the issue to damage the reputations of potential rivals.

“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 criticized a newly formed anti-corruption group that recently threatened to file charges against several lawmakers without conducting a thorough and impartial investigation.

He questioned the motives behind the group, suggesting it was hastily organized to discredit specific individuals. “How can they call themselves an anti-corruption group when they haven’t done their homework? Parang ginawa lang sila para sirain ang pangalan ng iba,” he said.

While Orate did not identify the group by name, he hinted at political motivations behind its actions, especially since many of the lawmakers being linked to the scandal are seen as strong contenders for the mayoralty in the 2028 elections.

He specifically defended Quezon City Representatives Patrick Michael Vargas and Marivic Co-Pilar, stating that neither had any flood control projects under their name, contrary to claims by the Discaya couple that they received kickbacks from 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.

Nevertheless, Orate affirmed that if the ICI finds concrete evidence linking any lawmaker to corruption in flood control projects, QCAC will support legal action against them.