Controversial contractor Sara Discaya, escorted by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, arrived at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27 in Lapu-Lapu City after 6 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025. Her appearance marked the start of judicial proceedings for two corruption cases linked to a P96.5-million ghost infrastructure project in Davao Occidental.
Transfer to a Special Anti-Graft Court
The cases against Discaya and 11 engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Davao Region were transferred to the Lapu-Lapu court following Supreme Court approval. Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting clarified that the move adhered to new High Court guidelines. These rules mandate that corruption cases involving infrastructure projects be heard by the nearest designated anti-graft court in the closest judicial region.
In November 2025, the Supreme Court designated an initial batch of 26 RTC branches as special anti-graft courts to handle corruption cases related to infrastructure and flood control projects exclusively. Four courts in Central Visayas, including RTC Branch 27 in Lapu-Lapu City, received this designation. Once the cases are docketed, this branch will have full jurisdiction over all proceedings, including custody, bail, and trial.
Proceedings and Detention
The 11 DPWH officials, flown in batches from Davao City, were presented before the court and subsequently taken to Lapu-Lapu City Hospital for a mandatory medical examination. Discaya, who had earlier undergone a medical checkup in Manila, was brought directly from the court to the Lapu-Lapu City Jail after the proceedings. Her co-accused were also transferred to the same facility.
NBI Central Visayas Director Rennan Augustus Oliva assured the public that there would be no special treatment for any of the accused. Motions filed by the lawyers of the DPWH officials requested they remain detained in Davao for practical and security reasons, while Discaya sought detention and hearings in Pasay City. The court had not ruled on these motions as of press time.
The P96.5-Million Non-Existent Project
The charges stem from a flood control project in Davao Occidental that was declared completed and fully paid in 2022. However, a September 2025 inspection by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group found the project was completely non-existent. The Office of the Ombudsman filed the graft and malversation cases.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a Facebook post, stated the cases are non-bailable. Among the charged DPWH Davao Region officials are District Engineer Rodrigo Larete, Assistant District Engineer Michael Awa, and Finance Section Chief Czar Ryan, along with several section chiefs, project engineers, and inspectors.
Records reveal the extensive reach of Discaya's business dealings. Firms owned by Discaya and her family were among 15 construction companies that secured the most flood control projects nationwide from 2022 to 2025. Over the past three years, companies linked to the Discaya family obtained approximately P31 billion worth of government infrastructure contracts.
In a related development, the Discaya family previously surrendered several luxury vehicles to the Bureau of Customs. The agency later auctioned five of these vehicles, generating nearly P50 million in proceeds.
