Arjo Atayde, a representative from Quezon City, said he is ready to answer all of Sarah and Curlee Discaya’s claims, even though they haven’t produced any proof against him yet.
When challenged about the charges that linked him and his father, Art Atayde, to supposed irregular flood control projects of the DPWH, Atayde got emotional during a media interview on November 25.
He went before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in Taguig City to defend himself against claims that he got bribes from DPWH projects that weren’t very good.
He said, “Again, it’s all hearsay, po… mas mabuti pong bago magturo e ibigay muna sa akin ‘yong ebidensiya.”
He added that since September 8, “they haven’t even given out anything against me and my father.”
Atayde said his father is also ready to attend any hearing or investigation.
He stressed, “Wala kaming tinatago. Hindi ako magtatago. Hindi ako iiwas. Hindi ako lilipad ng ibang bansa.”
He added that he wants to face the investigation to prove he is innocent.
He also said, “I don’t wanna invalidate the feelings of people… so I had to gather all the evidence… to prove my innocence po.”
According to Atayde, all flood control projects in his district were initiated by the DPWH even before they were sent to Congress.
He said, “Alam ko sa sarili ko… na wala akong kinalaman sa anumang katiwalian.”
He also stated, “Wala pong ghost projects… Wala pong ninakaw na pera ng bayan.”
He went to the Commission because he wants the truth to come out and because he stands with Filipinos who are tired of corruption.
He ended by saying, “Naninindigan ako dahil alam kong wala akong tinatago.”
