A high-profile contractor made an obscene gesture to the media as she was escorted to jail, marking a dramatic turn in a multi-million peso corruption case involving a non-existent public works project.
No Special Treatment for Accused in P96.5-Million Scam
Sarah Discaya, a flood control contractor, and eight engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are now detained as ordinary inmates at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail. They are facing serious graft and malversation charges connected to an alleged "ghost" flood control project in Davao Occidental worth a staggering 96.5 million pesos.
National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas Director Rennan Augustus Oliva was unequivocal in his statement. He emphasized that all nine individuals would receive the same privileges as any other detainee and no special arrangements would be made for them. "Treat them as ordinary criminals," Oliva directed the jail authorities.
The Ghost Project and Court Transfer
The controversy stems from a flood control project that was fully paid for by the government despite being either completely non-existent or largely unfinished. Investigations earlier in 2025 uncovered a major discrepancy: while official records listed the project as "completed," physical inspections of the site showed little to no evidence of actual construction work.
This discovery prompted the Office of the Ombudsman to file formal charges. Following Supreme Court directives, the case was transferred from Digos City to Lapu-Lapu City. Regional Trial Court Branch 27 Judge Nelson Leyco issued the arrest warrants on December 18, 2025.
This move is part of a broader institutional crackdown. In November 2025, the Supreme Court designated 26 RTC branches nationwide as specialized anti-graft courts to exclusively handle corruption cases linked to infrastructure and flood control projects. In Central Visayas, four courts, including RTC Branch 27, were given this mandate.
Transparent Detention and Next Steps
Acting on orders from Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, the suspects have been placed in standard dormitories. Discaya and two other female accused are in the female dormitory, while the six male engineers are held in the male section.
To prevent any special privileges, authorities have implemented strict monitoring. Courts will conduct weekly jail visits to ensure transparency. Security at the facility has also been heightened, with the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, under OIC PCol. Antonietto Canete, deploying rotating teams and the City Mobile Force.
The accused, who arrived in Cebu in batches on December 19, were processed at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall of Justice and underwent medical checks before being turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Their arraignment is scheduled for sometime in 2026.
