MANILA. The notorious 2013 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, once owned by controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, has officially changed hands through a public auction conducted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Historic Vehicle Auctioned at Premium Price
During the auction held on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, the luxury sport utility vehicle was sold for a bid price of P29,026,000.00, slightly above its floor price of P29,025,132.58. The winning bidder is Pio Velasco, founder and owner of the Igorot Stone Kingdom in Baguio City, a cultural theme park that celebrates Cordilleran heritage.
Velasco explained his motivation to reporters, stating, "Our first purpose is to save it from eventual destruction, if ever, and to preserve a piece of history. This car is historical kasi nga it opened the floodgates, the interest of the nation, to this rampant corruption." His purchase aims to safeguard a symbol tied to a major corruption scandal.
Other Luxury Vehicles Face Failed Bidding
In addition to the Rolls-Royce, nine more luxury vehicles were put up for auction, with seven of these recovered from the Discayas. However, all nine were declared under "failed bidding," indicating no successful offers met the required prices. This outcome highlights the challenges in liquidating high-value assets linked to legal controversies.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan, renowned as one of the world's most opulent SUVs, was seized by the BOC from the Discayas amid a flood control controversy. It represents a significant piece of evidence in ongoing investigations into government contract irregularities.
Previous Auctions and Financial Expectations
This auction follows earlier sales of Discaya vehicles. On November 20, three of their cars—a Mercedes-Benz G500 (2019) Brabus, Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG (2022), and a Lincoln Navigator (2022)—were sold for P38.2 million. In December, their Toyota Tundra 2022 fetched P3,480,000.00, and the Toyota Sequoia 2023 was sold for P6 million, with floor prices set at P3,473,253.97 and P4,669,554.50, respectively.
The BOC has projected that auctioning all recovered vehicles from the Discayas will yield a total of P103,865,125.97. These funds are earmarked for the national treasury, contributing to public coffers as part of efforts to recoup losses from alleged corrupt practices.
Background on the Discaya Couple
Curlee and Sarah Discaya own two of the 15 construction firms that secured the most flood control projects from the government between 2022 and 2025. Over the past three years, their firms have been awarded approximately P31 billion worth of government infrastructure contracts, including numerous flood control initiatives. This has raised questions about procurement processes and transparency in public spending.
The auction of their assets, particularly the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, serves as a tangible reminder of the broader issues surrounding corruption in government contracts. As the BOC continues its efforts, the sale underscores the ongoing scrutiny and accountability measures in place to address such scandals.
