Documents proving that his area has no projects awarded to companies owned by contractor-couple Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya have been submitted to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas said.
Vargas, in a statement on Thursday, said he voluntarily appeared before the ICI to provide the body with information that would clarify his alleged involvement in the kickback scheme for infrastructure projects.
Vargas was one of the several House of Representatives lawmakers named by the Discayas during several Senate blue ribbon committee hearings.
According to the Discayas, Vargas and other House members solicited money from their companies after they won contracts for government projects.
‘I voluntarily went to the ICI to fight for the truth. I showed to the ICI documents and other proof that there are no Discaya projects in District 5, and that there are no ghost projects in our district,’ Vargas said.
‘I also gave ICI information that I wish could help the commission in carrying out their mandate,’ he added.
Vargas said he is thankful for the opportunity to clear his name.
‘I thank the ICI for the chance to clarify attempts to damage my reputation and to counter wrong information against me. We will continue to serve Novaliches residents honestly, clearly and for the people’s sake,’ he added.
Vargas and Quezon City 6th District Rep. Maria Victoria Co-Pilar went to the ICI earlier. Vargas declined to give an interview as to why he visited the commission. Last September 8, Curlee Discaya named 17 past and present lawmakers who allegedly got kickbacks after they bagged government contracts:
Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo
Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang
Quezon City Rep. Vargas
Quezon City Rep. Rep. Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde
Agap party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones
Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro
San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes
Romblon Rep. Eleandro Madrona
Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr.
Former An-Waray party-list Rep. Florencio Noel
Quezon Rep. Reynante Arrogancia
Former Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo
Occidental Mindoro Rep. Tarriela
Aklan Rep. Teodoro Haresco
Former Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Antonieta Eudela
Caloocan Rep. Dean Asistio
Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar Then, last November 14, during another blue ribbon hearing, Discaya again name-dropped Vargas as one of the House members in his payoff ledger, aside from Romulo, Rillo, Asistio, Co-Pilar and Ang. Last September 8, Madrona and Teodoro separately stated that their districts had no projects implemented by the Discaya-linked companies while they were sitting lawmakers.