NBI arrests Sara Discaya over P96M ghost flood control project

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested contractor Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya in connection with a P96.5 million flood control project in Davao Occidental.

Discaya was immediately taken into custody and will be detained at the NBI Detention Facility, located within the Bureau of Corrections compound in Muntinlupa City.

She has been under the NBI’s custody since her voluntary surrender on Dec 9, the same day the President first announced that arrest warrants were set to be issued.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. confirmed that the arrest came after the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 27 issued a non-bailable warrant.

The warrant was issued in connection with graft and malversation charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against Discaya and nine other individuals.

“Naglabas na ng warrant of arrest ang korte laban sa sampung pangunahing sangkot dito sa anomalyang ito,” the president said.

The cases involved flood control project that was never constructed in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

Officials and staff of the Department of Public Works and Highways Davao Occidental Engineering Office were among the accused.

The accused face violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, and Article 217 in connection with Articles 171 and 172 of the Revised Penal Code.

Since the malversation is non-bailable offense, Discaya and her the other accused will remain in detention throughout the duration of their trial.

Her case is the second allegation to reach the courts in connection with the flood control corruption.

The first involved graft and malversation charges against former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co and 15 others over allegedly flood control corruption in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, with eight of the accused already in detention.

Marcos described Discaya’s arrest as the first step in a wider effort to hold those responsible for “ghost” flood control projects.