Sara Discaya visited by family at Lapu-Lapu City Jail — lawyer

Sara Discaya, owner of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, was visited by her family at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail in Mactan, Cebu, a day after Christmas, according to her lawyer Jun Samaniego.

Samaniego told DAILY TRIBUNE on Sunday that Discaya’s family was able to see her following the completion of their quarantine period, except for her husband Curlee, who remains detained at the Senate.

“Tinapos lang quarantine nila. Nun 26 nadalaw na family nya,” Samaniego said.

However, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) earlier said Discaya did not receive personal family visits during the Christmas holidays.

BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said Discaya has been limited to online visits, with most of her interactions coming from her lawyer.

“So far, there have been no personal visits because visitation is strictly through online platforms. Most of her visits have been from her lawyer, and her food is sent from outside and inspected before being allowed inside,” Bustinera said in a radio interview.

Discaya, along with District Engineer Rodrigo C. Larete, Assistant District Engineer Michael P. Awa, several section chiefs, project engineers, inspectors, and Ma. Roma Angelin Rimando of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, is facing charges linked to allegations that they conspired to facilitate the release of funds for a revetment project that was allegedly not constructed.

They were committed to the Lapu-Lapu City Jail on December 19 after warrants of arrest were issued against them. Discaya is currently being held at the jail facility’s female dormitory.

The controversial contractor, whose firms were allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects, earlier filed an urgent motion before the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court seeking to remain under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The BJMP said it has already submitted its comment on the petition.

“We have already submitted our comment since we were given no more than ten days. With the upcoming holidays, our warden sent it ahead of time. Our position is that the BJMP facility is fully prepared, regardless of whether the detainee is a high-profile individual,” Bustinera said.

Discaya and the Department of Public Works and Highways officials involved have insisted that the P96.5-million flood control project in Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental was completed and even underwent repair works following flood damage in November 2022.