MANILA (December 8) — President Marcos has ordered the DILG and the PNP to track down contractor Sarah Discaya and other respondents in a P100-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental, saying authorities must be ready to arrest them once the courts issue warrants.
The case involves a flood control project in Culaman, Jose Abad Santos that was listed as “completed” in 2022 — yet a PNP-CIDG inspection in September found an empty site where no construction ever took place.
Marcos said investigators discovered that the project’s final billing, completion certificates, and inspection reports were fake or did not match the reality on the ground. Even the videos and photos submitted by the respondents had no timestamps and could not be linked to the project.
The Ombudsman has recommended charges for malversation through falsification and violation of RA 3019, naming Discaya, St. Timothy Construction’s Maria Roma Angeline Remando, and several DPWH personnel.
“Malversation is non-bailable,” Marcos emphasized. “Once the warrants are issued, they cannot pay for their release.”
Police on standby; DILG monitoring Discaya’s movements
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed police units nationwide to be ready for immediate arrests.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla added that authorities are already monitoring the locations of Discaya and others facing charges. “Once the courts issue the warrant, they will be brought to justice,” he said.
Pasig shuts down 9 Discaya-linked firms
In Metro Manila, the Pasig local government ordered the closure of nine construction firms tied to Sarah and Curlee Discaya over unpaid taxes and lack of business permits.
These include St. Gerrard Construction, Alpha and Omega General Contractor, St. Timothy Construction, Amethyst Horizon Builders, St. Matthew General Contractor, Great Pacific Builders, YPR Construction Supply, Way Maker OPC, and Elite General Contractor.
DPWH engineers ‘in jail by Christmas’ — Dizon
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said three former DPWH engineers — Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza — may be jailed before Christmas. “Ombudsman Boying said that case filing is coming very soon — and for sure they will spend Christmas in jail,” Dizon told dzBB.
Why this case matters for communities
For residents of Davao Occidental — and communities across the country — the ghost project highlights how fake infrastructure drains public funds meant to protect people from floods and disasters.
The President said the case is a reminder that communities lose the most when corruption blocks essential safety projects.
