Manila, Sept. 9 -- Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya, owner of construction firms currently under scrutiny for ghost flood control projects, categorically told lawmakers that he never had any direct transaction with House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

"Baka po nagagamit lang po ng mga pulitiko ang kaniyang pangalan (His name may have been used by politicians)," Discaya said, appearing under oath at the House Infra-Comm hearing on Tuesday.

He then went into a lengthy clarification that sought to distance both Romualdez and Ako-Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, former House appropriations panel chair, from his company's projects.

"Gusto ko lang pong linawin sa kanila na wala po akong direktang transaction. Hindi po ako nag...