By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and his wife, Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, met with Department of Justice (DOJ) officials in Manila on Friday to discuss the possibility of becoming government witnesses.
The Discayas arrived separately early morning, with the husband brought in by a Senate vehicle after he was cited in contempt Thursday.
The couple submitted affidavits for evaluation to determine if their testimonies met the standards for the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
“The proceedings are confidential of the witness protection. It’s in the law. we have to be careful about what we talk about (in public),” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told the media.
“While not in the law, it is in human nature and our concept of justice firstly (that state witness must tell) the whole truth, and secondly, in the end there will be restitution (of the amounts involved).”
Remulla also declined to answer if returning the money, supposedly from anomalous transactions, was brought up during the meeting.
“It’s still confidential. I think it was a relief for them to be able to talk to people who are only after the truth. We don’t want anything else here,” he said.
Remulla said they will be working closely with lawmakers conducting the legislative inquiry and the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano IV said the appearance of the Discaya couple was only “part of procedure” and did not guarantee admission to the WPP.
Remulla previously said that they are not inclined to admit the couple as state witnesses, unless they tell the whole truth. (PNA)
