Arjo Atayde speaks out: Denies benefiting from controversial projects
• Quezon City Representative Arjo Atayde has strongly denied being a beneficiary of a government flood control project scheme, asserting he has never dealt with the contractors involved
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• The allegations against the lawmaker surfaced after a viral photo showed him with the Discaya couple, who claim they were coerced into paying kickbacks
• Atayde clarified that the meeting was a brief, one-time encounter in 2022 and not a pre-arranged discussion about any projects
• The lawmaker's wife, TV host Maine Mendoza, publicly defended him, calling the accusations "baseless" and expressing her full support
Quezon City First District Representative Arjo Atayde has issued a strong denial against allegations linking him to a scheme involving contractors of government flood control projects.
Source: Instagram
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The lawmaker, an actor-turned-politician, was among several public officials named by contractors Cezarah “Sarah” and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
In a public statement, Atayde categorically refuted the accusations, asserting that he has “never dealt” with the contractors and has not benefited from any of their projects.
"I categorically deny the allegation that I benefited from any contractor. I have never dealt with them," Atayde said. "I have never used my position for personal gain, and I never will. I will avail of all remedies under the law to clear my name and hold accountable those who spread these falsehoods.”
The controversy centers on a photograph circulating on social media that shows Atayde with the Discaya couple.
The representative explained that the meeting was not pre-arranged and occurred only once, in 2022, when the contractors visited his district office.
Atayde clarified that it was a brief encounter, consisting of a simple "hi, hello" and a picture-taking session, with no discussion about any government projects. He emphasized that this was the first and last time he met with them.
The allegations stem from the Discaya couple's claims that they were coerced by corrupt officials into participating in anomalous bidding processes and were forced to hand over a portion of their project earnings—alleged kickbacks that could range from 10 to 25 percent of the project value.
The couple, who previously won projects through what they described as fair bidding, stated that they were compelled to participate in the scheme to secure their firms' future and protect their family.
Atayde's wife, prominent TV host Maine Mendoza, has also come to his defense on social media. She called the accusations "baseless" and appealed to the public to refrain from "throwing hate and personal attacks" at her husband and their family.
Mendoza expressed her full support for Atayde, stating, "I am with my husband in this. He has been doing his best to serve the people of his district in Quezon City since the beginning."
The Discaya couple's testimony has implicated a number of other officials and lawmakers, many of whom have also vehemently denied the claims.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, among those named, dismissed the allegations as "false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping."
Meanwhile, other public servants, such as San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Mayor Florida Robes, have announced their intention to file libel cases against the contractors to clear their names.
The ongoing Senate probe is expected to continue to investigate the extent of the alleged corruption within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its projects.
News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories.
In related developments, Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III has returned as Senate President, replacing Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero in a swift leadership change. Earlier, Sotto confirmed he had the support of at least 15 senators, an overwhelming majority, which led to his formal election. The change in leadership followed a motion to declare the Senate presidency vacant and is believed to be linked to controversies, including a corruption investigation. The new leadership includes Senator Panfilo Lacson as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as Majority Leader, forming a new majority bloc.
In other news, actress Dianne Medina posted an emotional tribute to her late father Prisco Tito “Antoy” Verzosa Medina on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary. In her message, she prayed to Mama Mary to embrace her father in heaven and to give their family strength during this painful time. She shared her full reflection expressing both grief and comfort in Mary’s maternal love and guidance, Dianne is known for openly expressing her Catholic faith which continues to inspire her fans.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
