Palace: Discaya firm faces probe over PH Film Heritage Building works

Malacañang said one of Sarah Discaya's construction firms will be investigated for alleged substandard work on the Philippine Film Heritage Building in Manila City.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro reported the development during an onsite inspection of the facility on Thursday afternoon, adding that the Marcos administration has observed issues not just on questionable flood control projects, but other infrastructure initiatives as well.

Castro said the building's reconstruction was supposed to be completed Thursday, September 4. Its contractor is the Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc., which is owned by the Discayas.

"Malamang umpisahan na dahil nakita po natin kung paano po ito nangyari at sabi nga natin dapat September 4, 2025 ay tapos na at sila dapat ang nakikipag-usap sa atin sa gobyerno, sa DPWH, kung sino nagpagawa nito, bakit hindi natapos," Castro said.

(The probe will be initiated as we can see how this happened and like what we've said, this should have been finished today, September 4, 2025. They should talk to us why it was not completed.) 

"Sila dapat ang magsabi bakit medyo na-delay, bakit ganito 'yung hitsura? Bakit parang 'di maganda, bakit below standard 'yung nakita naming pagkakagawa sa building?" she said. 

(They should explain the delay, why it looked like this, and why it was below standard?) 

"Kung wala silang valid reason, kung bakit 'di nila ito nai-turn over nang tama at naaayon sa kontrata, puwede sila makasuhan, unang-una, civil liability," Castro added.

(If they don't have a valid reason why they didn't properly turn over the building in compliance with the contract, then they can be charged with civil liability.)

Castro said other infrastructure programs face issues as well. 

"Lumalabas dito na hindi lang flood control projects ang naaapektuhan, maraming infrastructure, mga buildings, programa ng gobyerno ang maaapektuhan dito kaya tuloy-tuloy ang pagiimbestiga ng Pangulo," Castro said. 

(It only shows that not only flood control projects were affected, a lot of infrastructure, buildings, and programs of the government could be affected. That's why the President continues the investigation.) 

Dismayed First Lady

First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos was dismayed by what she saw when she inspected the building, Castro said.

Based on the information released by Castro, observations included the improper placement of downspouts, and that the finishing of one elevator did not meet quality standards. 

Further, some areas do not have tiles, Castro said. 

She said the contractor could face charges over the substandard reconstruction of the building.

The Palace official also alleged that some personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) could have been in collusion with the contractors.

"Ang isa pang nakikita dito ay malamang na 'yung ibang kinatawan ng DPWH ay nakikipagsabwatan sa mga contractors," Castro said.

(Another possibility being examined is that some DPWH personnel could have colluded with contractors.) 

The contract amount was P107,893,255.11.

GMA News Online has reached the Discayas, through Atty. Cornelio Samaniego III, for comment regarding the matter, but they have yet to reply as of posting time.

According to the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Philippine Film Heritage Building project broke ground on October 26, 2023 in Intramuros, Manila.

The FDCP, a body under the Office of the President, entered into a tripartite agreement with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the building's construction.

"Envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility, the building will be a melting pot of cinematic gems, including a collection of Filipino films, memorabilia, and audiovisual preservation and restoration facilities. In addition, the building will house the Cinematheque Centre Manila and the Philippine Film Archive and it will also be the new headquarters of the FDCP," the council said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News