In a stunning turn of events, a Senate hearing on anomalous flood control projects has erupted into a political firestorm after a key contractor publicly accused several members of the House of Representatives of receiving massive kickbacks.

The testimony, delivered by a witness now seeking protection, has sent shockwaves through the legislative branch and ignited a fierce war of words.

During a nationally televised Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, contractor couple Pacifico and Sarah Discaya claimed under oath that they were pressured to pay a staggering 25% of the total cost of each flood-control project to congressmen in order to secure government contracts. 

The Discayas, whose companies have reportedly won over PHP31 billion in flood control projects since 2022, identified at least 18 lawmakers they claim were involved in the alleged scheme including Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy Co and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

The couple said that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and legislative staff members repeatedly mentioned the names of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co as the ultimate beneficiaries of the payoffs. The revelations have prompted a public outcry for accountability and an independent investigation into the alleged corruption that has plagued the nation's flood mitigation programs.

In a swift and coordinated response, the named lawmakers categorically denied the allegations, dismissing the testimony as a politically motivated "demolition job."

House Speaker Martin Romualdez issued a strong denial, calling the Discayas' claim "false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping." 

He emphasized that while Congress approves the budget, it is the Executive branch and its agencies, like the DPWH, that implement projects and disburse funds. "If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent," Romualdez stated.

Similarly, Rep. Zaldy Co, who is currently out of the country for medical reasons, released a statement vehemently refuting the accusations. 

"I vehemently deny all the baseless and irresponsible accusations made against me during the Senate hearing" Co said, adding that he is reserving his right to comment on this matter while 2025 GAA is subject for an impending case before the Supreme Court.

Several other congressmen mentioned by the Discayas also issued their own denials, with some pointing out that the contractors' firms never even secured projects in their districts. The denials highlight the deeply divisive nature of the allegations and the difficulty of proving such claims without more concrete evidence.

As the Senate committee continues its probe, the spotlight is now on whether the Discayas will be granted protective custody and if their sworn statements will be enough to hold powerful officials accountable. 

The hearings have opened a can of worms, exposing a complex web of alleged "ghost" projects and substandard work, and have underscored the public's deep-seated frustration with corruption in government.

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