Customs to probe Discaya couple's 40 luxury cars

The Bureau of Customs will look into the 40 luxury cars allegedly owned by the Discaya couple, who own the firm that cornered some of the government’s flood control projects.

According to John Consulta’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the bureau wants to check if Sarah and Pacifico Discaya imported the cars legitimately imported and if they paid the right taxes. The couple's car collection was featured in a now viral video on social media.

The Discayas own the Alpha and Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation, one of the 15 companies named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that secured 20% of the flood control projects in the country.

“Ang minimum doon magkakaroon ng seizure proceedings pero depende kasi sa lebel ng hindi niya pagbabayad.Titingnan natin 'yan kasi kung puwedeng pagbayarin ng karagdagang tax. Depende talaga sa makikita pa natin,” said Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.

(At the minimum, there will be seizure proceedings, but it depends on the level of non-payment. We will look into that to see whether additional tax can be paid. It really depends on what we find.)

The BOC usually issues a letter of authority to inspect warehouses or commercial establishments. But it’s a different case for the Discayas as their cars are within their residence, the report said.

“Bahay kasi yan, iba ang rules eh….May proteksyon kasi 'yung tahanan base sa ating Konstitusyon at sa mga batas, although of course, 'yung posibilidad na gagamitin lang namin ng LOA, posible rin 'yun pero mas magandang mag-ingat muna ang BOC,” said Nepomuceno.

(Because that's a home, the rules are different... A home has protection based on our Constitution and our laws, although of course, the possibility of us just using an LOA (Letter of Authority) is also possible, but it's better for the BOC to be cautious first.)

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the couple for comments, but they did not reply to text messages and phone calls. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News