MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr (pic) on Tuesday (Sept 9) stressed that while name-dropping is not a crime, using another person’s name to steal constitutes one.
This was his response to allegations made by contractor-couple Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, who claimed that the name of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin, was being used to obtain commissions from infrastructure projects.
In a sit-down interview with media in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Marcos was asked about the couple’s accusations.
“We will have to look. If it’s true, then there’s really a problem because it was indeed ordered,” said Marcos in Filipino.
“We’ll see if it’s just name-dropping or if there’s something more substantial to it. If it’s only name-dropping… Well, name-dropping itself is not a crime, but what is a crime is using someone else’s name to steal,” he pointed out.
Emphasising that the Discayas’ claims were still mere allegations, Marcos said he cannot yet draw any conclusions until the matter is investigated by an independent commission.
“If it’s true, then it’s true. But if it’s just hearsay or mere speculation, we will also show that it’s nothing more than speculation,” he said.
“But you know, we cannot come to any conclusions yet now. Wala pa ‘yung investigative independent commission,” he also said.
On Monday, Pacifico Discaya named several lawmakers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials who allegedly solicited money from his companies after they won contracts for government projects.
According to the Discaya patriarch, the DPWH officials named repeatedly said that the money should be delivered to Rep Zaldy Co, amounting to at least 25 percent.
Discaya also claimed that then-Rep. Marvin Rillo repeatedly justified his requests for funds by saying they came from unprogrammed appropriations and insertions allegedly approved by Romualdez.
Romualdez quickly denied the accusations, branding the claims as “false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping.”
“I cannot and will not allow lies and name-dropping to pass unchecked. The claim in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious and nothing more than name-dropping. Let me be clear: I have no involvement. I did not give permission and I did not give my blessing to those kinds of activities,” he said.
“If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent. And if they did that to earn money, they are the scammers and they are the ones who should be accountable for that,” he added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
