MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday challenged Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Cezarah “Sarah” to substantiate their claims that lawmakers and other people in government demanded “cuts” from infrastructure projects.

The Discayas during a hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee said they were coerced by several members of the House of Representatives and personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways to give bribe money for their construction firms to win government project bids.

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In a briefing with the media delegation covering President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit in Cambodia, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said it is not enough for the couple to mention names.

“It's hard to just drop names. Their evidence needs to be complete. Not everyone mentioned is guilty. We still need complete evidence so that when it's brought to court, it won't be dismissed right away,” she said in Filipino.

“What the President wants is a wide-ranging investigation to uncover the truth. He does not want names to be dropped without evidence. But if the allegations are significant and can be proven by witnesses regarding the involvement of certain politicians, the President will accept that,” she added.