Curlee Discaya Explains Rigged Bidding Process

Contractor Curlee Discaya revealed before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday how government infrastructure bidding is allegedly manipulated, describing a systematic scheme that favors politically connected contractors while shutting out legitimate competition. His testimony shed light on practices that he claimed are widespread across the Philippines.

Alleged Rigged Process

According to Discaya, the bidding process is compromised even before it begins. When contractors attempt to submit bids to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), they are often confronted by negotiators who act as gatekeepers. He said financial documents are scrutinized, and if a contractor refuses to cooperate, their documents may be disqualified or even destroyed.

Discaya recalled being asked bluntly: “What is this? Fight, get along, or give money?” Those who comply by offering payments are allowed to continue, while those who resist are excluded from consideration.

He emphasized that fake biddings are staged to appear legitimate, with nearly identical bid amounts and outcomes already predetermined. Some of these events are even live-streamed, he said, but contractors are fully aware of who will be declared the winner long before the process begins.

Attempts to Resist

Discaya claimed he and others had tried to challenge the system, including publishing reports in newspapers to expose corrupt officials. However, he said these efforts rarely produced change. “If this system continues, then I would not be able to get any project because of blatant lies that government officials do,” he explained.

He added that while titles like “takers,” “negotiators,” and “royalty” may change over time, the central practice remains consistent: only those with ties to high-ranking officials are able to secure contracts.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of Alleged Scheme

Discaya provided a detailed explanation of how bidding is manipulated:

• Pre-bidding stage: A project is already “bought” by a contractor with political ties, even before the official process begins.

• Advances to politicians: Some contractors give advance payments to politicians to “reserve” projects and guarantee future approval.

• Controlled bidding day: Negotiators oversee the event to ensure that only certain contractors participate, maintaining the illusion of legitimacy.

• Sharing system: Contractors pay percentages—usually between one to three percent of the project’s total cost—as part of an informal sharing scheme.

• Role of the BAC: The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) allegedly participates in the scheme by manipulating the purchase of bidding documents and expediting evaluations in exchange for what Discaya described as “padulas” (grease money). This money, he said, incentivizes the committee to speed up the process and make awarding easier for favored bidders.

Discaya also claimed that in some cases, BAC members themselves handled company bidding documents to accelerate project billing once the work was reported as completed.

Alleged Political Percentages

Discaya pointed to how percentages taken by politicians from projects varied across administrations. He testified that during former President Benigno Aquino III’s term, contractors typically paid around 10 percent. Under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, the figure allegedly rose to 12 to 15 percent.

Implications of Testimony

The contractor’s revelations highlight concerns about how corruption in infrastructure projects can drain public resources and erode trust in governance. Discaya’s account suggests that instead of fair competition, the system often prioritizes connections and kickbacks, leaving little room for transparency.

While investigations are ongoing, his testimony adds to growing calls for deeper reforms in the way the government handles public works bidding and contract awarding.