The Supreme Court announced Wednesday the transfer of criminal cases involving a P96.5-million “ghost” flood control project from Davao del Sur to a specialized court in Lapu-Lapu City.

Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Sue May Ting confirmed the transfer, which involves graft and malversation complaints against contractor Sarah Discaya and several officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways Davao Occidental District Engineering Office.

The case centers on a revetment project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. Investigators allege the project was fully funded and paid for but never actually constructed.

The move follows new judicial guidelines aimed at ensuring impartial and speedy trials for corruption cases involving infrastructure.

Under an October 2025 resolution, the Supreme Court designated specific courts to handle anomalies related to flood control and public works.

Meantime, Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez clarified that the transfer halts the issuance of any warrants from the original courts in Digos City, as jurisdiction now resides exclusively with the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court.

Unlike traditional transfers prompted by the Office of the Ombudsman, this move was initiated by the courts under the new rules. The Office of the Court Administrator is currently monitoring similar filings nationwide to move them to specialized tribunals.