Contradictions emerge over Sarah Discaya family visit

Conflicting reports surfaced Sunday regarding the detention of St. Timothy Construction Corp. owner Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, with her lawyer claiming a family visit took place while jail officials maintained that only virtual visits are permitted.

Attorney Jun Samaniego told DAILY TRIBUNE that Discaya’s family visited her at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail on 26 December, following the completion of a mandatory quarantine period. Discaya’s husband, Curlee, was not present as he remains in Senate custody.

However, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jail Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said in a radio interview Sunday that Discaya has not had any in-person visitors.

“So far, there have been no personal visits because visitation is strictly through online platforms,” Bustinera said. He added that while her lawyer has visited, most interactions occur online and that all outside food is inspected before being delivered to her in the female dormitory.

To recall, Discaya was committed to the facility on 19 December. She and several Department of Public Works and Highways officials are accused of conspiring to release P96.5 million for a revetment project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, that investigators allege was never constructed.

Discaya has denied the charges, asserting that the project was completed and later repaired after sustaining flood damage in November 2022.

The contractor filed an urgent motion with the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court seeking to be transferred back to the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation. The BJMP has formally opposed the motion.

“Our position is that the BJMP facility is fully prepared, regardless of whether the detainee is a high-profile individual,” Bustinera said.