Pasay court denies contractor's habeas corpus plea, upholds Senate detention

A Pasay court has denied the habeas corpus petition filed by contractor Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya II, upholding his continued detention in the Senate.

The Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 498 dismissed the petition for "misjoined cause of action," ruling that while Discaya questioned his detention, he also questioned the legality of his contempt citation, which is a matter for a certiorari petition.

Discaya was cited in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and detained on September 18 for allegedly lying about his wife's absence during a hearing on anomalous flood control projects.

The Senate maintains that its decision to cite Discaya in contempt was within its constitutional authority.

The Bureau of Customs is eyeing a competitive and transparent bidding of Discaya's luxury cars by November 15.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has also started a probe into a firm linked to Senator Bong Go's family and its ties to Discaya.