SENATOR Raffy Tulfo on Monday lambasted contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya over the long-delayed renovation of Rizal Hall at the University of the Philippines Manila, saying the neglect has deprived students of essential learning spaces.

During a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Tulfo questioned why the project, awarded in 2018 to St. Timothy Construction Corporation owned by Discaya and his wife Sarah, remains unfinished after seven years despite receiving ₱30 million in public funds.

“This is not just any building—it is a school facility for students. ₱30 million of taxpayers’ money was spent here, and yet until now, it remains incomplete,” Tulfo said, visibly frustrated.

The senator underscored that Rizal Hall, home to UP Manila’s College of Arts and Sciences, is more than a century old and urgently needs rehabilitation. He added that aside from the initial funds, the 2021 General Appropriations Act earmarked another ₱100 million for the repair and upgrading of its classrooms and common areas.

Tulfo pointed out that the unfinished project has deprived students of badly needed facilities, stressing that corruption and negligence in infrastructure projects directly affect education.

Discaya attempted to shift the blame to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), citing project suspensions, extensions, and lack of school approvals.

But Tulfo rejected the excuse, saying public school projects cannot be delayed indefinitely once funds are released. He further grilled Discaya on whether his company had submitted proper feasibility studies and project plans to UP Manila and the DPWH before construction began.

Discaya failed to provide a clear answer and was ordered to submit a full report with supporting documents to the committee.

Reports indicate that the Rizal Hall renovation has since been reassigned to another contractor, but Tulfo insisted that accountability must still be pursued for the wasted time and resources.

“Every year students are left without proper facilities because of negligence like this. Education projects should never be treated as business-as-usual,” Tulfo said.