CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE—Former lawmaker now City Mayor of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Florida Robes denied receiving any percentage cut in government projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as alleged by
controversial contractor Curlee Discaya during a senate hearing on Monday.
In a statement that day, Robes said she categorically denied the allegations made by Mr. Discaya.
Robes name was among the congressmen mentioned by Discaya as those involved in getting 10-25% cut in government projects through the DPWH.
“I categorically and unequivocally deny the baseless allegations made by Mr. Curlee Discaya. My only encounter with the Discayas dates back nearly two decades, at a purely social gathering. Beyond that occasion, I have never had any personal, professional, or financial dealings with either of them. The claim that I received money or favors from Mr. Discaya is not only false, but absurd,” Robes told NEWSCORE Bulacan.
The now mayor, former congresswoman said Discaya could not even pronounce her name correctly which only signifies that he do not know her personally and that there are no any transactions made between them. “It is telling that, in reading his affidavit, Mr. Discaya could not even pronounce my surname correctly. If he truly had the kind of dealings with me that he alleges, he would at the very least be able to say my name properly,” she said.
Robes was referring to the pronouncation as “robes” (cloak, apparel) made by Discaya as against family name’s correct pronounciation “Ro-bes”.
“For the record, I have never interfered, intervened, or been involved in any infrastructure projects, nor have I made budget insertions for any such projects. In my district, it is the DPWH and other national agencies that are responsible for these project implementations,” Robes added.
Also, according to the former solon, she was one of the very first lawmakers – if not the first who personally brought this current issue to the attention of the President.
“I brought it to the attention of the Presdent two years before it reached the headlines and gripped the nation. The President himself can attest to this. If I were truly involved in the irregularities alleged by the Discayas, would I have been so senseless as to raise the matter directly to the Chief Executive? The answer is obvious,” she added.
According to Robes she is now consulting her legal team on the appropriate cases to be filed against Discaya. “I will not allow my name to be tarnished by falsehoods, nor will I tolerate anyone using my name without my knowledge or consent to misrepresent themselves before contractors. I am prepared to hold accountable all those who propagate or benefit from these lies. I owe it to the people of San Jose Del Monte, who have given me the mandate to serve with honesty and dedication, to protect the integrity of our district and the truth,” her statement ends.
