Gov't begins auction of Discayas' luxury vehicles

The auction of the controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya's luxury vehicles kicked off Thursday morning. 

An inspection was held on the seven vehicles at the Manila South Harbour, led by Bureau of Customs (BOC) Ariel Napomuceno as he mentioned that they expect the auction to fetch over P100 million. 

"Etong gagawin natin auction, hindi lang po para makakuha ng more than P100M minimum possible proceeds from the luxury vehicles. Mas importante dito sa pera o pondo na maari nating makukuha ay ang simbolismo at pagpapahalaga natin na pag ikaw ay gumawa ng mali, ikaw ay manangot at ang pera ng bansa dapat mapakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan," saidNepomuceno. 

(We will be doing this auction, not just to get more than P100M minimum possible proceeds from the luxury vehicles. More important than the money or funds we can get is the symbolism that if you do something wrong, you will be held accountable, and the country's money should benefit our countrymen.)

"Pag tinignan natin ang kabuuan ang maaring makuha natin sa pag-aauction, P110 million, pag binuo pa natin yung 13 sasakyan, pag anbuo yun P220M plus," he added. 

(If we look at the total we can get from the auction, P110 million, if we include the 13 vehicles, the total will be P220 million plus.)

Also present during the inspection were Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. said Wednesday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, and newly appointed Finance chief Frederick Go. 

"We are here today to restore what rightfully belongs to the people. This is justice in practice," said Reyes. 

Among the luxury cars auctioned off on Thursday are: 

• Toyota Tundra (2022) P4,994,079.00
• Toyota Sequoia (2023) P 7,258,800.36
• Rolls Royce Cullinan (2023) P 45,314,391.11
• Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG (2022) P 14,104,768.00
• Mercedes-Benz G500 (2019) Brabus P 1,843,239.43
• Lincoln Navigator L (2021) P 7,038,726.14
• Bentley Bentayga (2022) P17,311,121.93

TOTAL: P103,865, 125.97

The Customs bureau preivously said an estimated P100 million in taxes were left unpaid when the Discayas— who are at the center of the flood control corruption scandal— acquired 13 of their 30 luxury vehicles. —VAL, GMA Integrated News