The arrest warrant for contractor Sarah Discaya is expected to be issued within the week in connection with alleged irregularities in government flood control projects, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Tuesday.
“Inaasahan na din nating lalabas ang warrant of arrest ni Sarah Discaya itong linggong ito, at hindi na rin magtatagal ang pag-aresto sa kanya (We expect the warrant for the arrest of Sarah Discaya this week, and it will not take long before her arrest),” Marcos revealed in a video message posted on his social media accounts.
Marcos also noted eight personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Occidental have sent letters expressing their intention to surrender to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). These personnel are facing cases linked to flood control project anomalies.
“Magpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon. Magpapatuloy ang pagpapanagot at titiyakin ng pamahalaan na ang pera ng bayan ay maibabalik sa taong-bayan (The investigation will continue. Accountability will continue, and the government will ensure that the people’s money is returned to the public),” he said.
Discaya, identified in records as Cezarah Rowena Discaya, is known as the wife of businessman Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya.
The couple is widely recognized in the construction sector for companies such as Alpha and Omega Construction and St. Gerrard Construction Company, which have secured multi-billion-peso flood control and infrastructure contracts across the country.
Curlee Discaya has been detained at the Senate premises after being cited in contempt in the earlier hearing.
Meanwhile, Sarah Discaya and nine others are facing charges for alleged malversation of public funds and alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The charges stem from a reported P96.5-million “ghost” flood control project in Barangay Culaman in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. All allegations remain subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
Marcos earlier instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police to locate Sarah Discaya and other individuals facing charges.
The Securities and Exchange Commission earlier revoked the corporate registration of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation for allegedly submitting false beneficial ownership information.