Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, the private contractor currently held in Senate detention, was transferred to an undisclosed hospital on Thursday to undergo surgery on his shoulder.
Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza confirmed the medical transfer, noting that Discaya is expected to remain hospitalized for four to seven days. The exact duration of his stay will be determined by his post-operative recovery and overall stability. “If his condition is stable, he could potentially return to his detention facility in about five days,” Mendoza added.
The transfer was conducted under tight security. Discaya was transported via ambulance and was observed wearing a bulletproof vest for protection, though he was not handcuffed during the movement.
To ensure he remains in legislative custody throughout his recovery, personnel from the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms at the Senate have been deployed to provide 24-hour security at Discaya’s hospital room.
While the Senate is allowing visitors between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm, strict rules remain in place. Mendoza clarified that mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside the hospital room to maintain the terms of his detention.
Discaya has been in Senate custody since September of last year, after being cited for contempt during the Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into alleged irregularities regarding flood control projects.
He and his wife, Sara, have been central figures in the inquiry into infrastructure kickbacks, allegations that both have consistently denied. Discaya remains the only resource person from the probe currently held at the Senate’s detention facility.