Following her arrest on graft and malversation charges tied to a P96.5-million 'ghost' flood control project in Davao Occidental, contractor Sarah Discaya was escorted to Cebu for court proceedings. Her company president was also arrested in the case, amid separate tax evasion probes.
MANILA, Philippines — Contractor Sarah Discaya was flown to Cebu on Friday, December 19, after her formal arrest the previous day on graft and malversation charges linked to the alleged P96.5-million “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) transferred her because the arrest warrants were issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Lapu-Lapu City, Acting NBI Director Angelito Magno explained, noting that graft cases are assigned to specific courts.
Before the transfer, Discaya appeared at the Department of Justice (DOJ) for preliminary investigation into P7.18-billion tax evasion complaints filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue against her and her husband Curlee's construction firms for unpaid taxes from 2018-2021. DOJ Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the Discayas submitted rejoinders, with resolutions expected next week.
Discaya arrived at NAIA Terminal 2 at 1:40 p.m., accompanied by seven NBI agents who underwent firearm checks, and was flown to Cebu. She had voluntarily surrendered to the NBI on December 8 and was formally arrested Thursday at NBI headquarters in Pasay City, along with warrants for nine others.
The malversation charge is non-bailable. Separately, Pasig City police arrested Ma. Roma Rimando, president of Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction Corp., late Thursday. Rimando surrendered around 10 p.m. with counsel and underwent medical checks before transfer to Lapu-Lapu City.
