Sarah Discaya, 9 others charged over P96.5M ghost flood control project

The Ombudsman has filed malversation and corruption charges against contractors Cezarah Discaya and Maria Roma Angeline Rimando of St. Timothy Construction, and Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Occidental officials over a P96.5-million ghost flood control project in the province.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the charges were filed before the Digos Regional Trial Court at 2:15 p.m. on Friday.

Aside from Discaya and Rimando, among those charged are DPWH Davao Occidental District Engineering Office officers. They are:

• Rodrigo Larete
• Michael Awa
• Joel Lumogdang
• Harold John Villaver
• Jafael Faunillian
• Josephine Valdez
• Ranulfo Flores and
• Czar Ryan Ubungen

The charges against them are the second set filed against those involved in the massive flood control corruption scandal since President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. raised the controversy in his State of the Nation Address in July.

Find them, says Marcos

In a video message on Friday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr said he has ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to ensure that they know the whereabouts of Discaya and the others.

"I have directed DILG and the PNP to ensure that they know the whereabouts of Discaya at nung iba pa para paglabas ng arrest warrant ay maaresto na sila kaagad (and other individuals involved so they will be arrested after the issuance of the warrants of arrest)," he said.

"Ang malversation ay non bailable. Mabigat ito dahil hindi nila mababayaran ang kanilang paglaya. Pag naisampa na ang mga kasong ito sa korte, ang susunod na hakbang ng judiciary ay ang paglabas ng arrest warrant para sa mga pinangalanang indibidwal," said Marcos.

(Malversation is non-bailable. This is huge because they cannot pay for their liberty. Once filed to the court, the next step for the judiciary is to issue arrest warrants against the respondents.)

DILG, PNP ready to arrest

In separate statements on Friday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) stated that they were ready to arrest individuals responsible for the alleged ghost projects in Davao Occidental.

The DILG shared that they were strictly monitoring the locations of the accused.

“Kapag inilabas na ng korte ang warrant of arrest, agad silang dadakipin at ihaharap sa hustisya,” the statement read.

(Once the court issues the warrant of arrest, they will be immediately arrested and brought to justice.)

“Walang makakalusot sa batas. Mananagot ang mga sangkot at matitiyak ng bayan na may hustisyang haharap sa mga gumawa ng korupsyon at katiwalian,” it added.

(No one can escape the law. The accused will be held accountable, and the country can be assured that justice will be served to those who are corrupt and committing crimes.)

'Full adherence'

PNP said it was ready to serve the warrants as soon as they are issued by the Court.

“All actions will be carried out with full adherence to due process, respect for human rights, and the presumption of innocence. We likewise express our full support for the ongoing investigations led by concerned government agencies,” the statement read.

“The PNP stands ready to assist in evidence-gathering and other processes necessary to advance the truth and preserve public confidence in the justice system,” it continued.

PNP also called on the public to cooperate with the necessary authorities should they have any information regarding the case.

Probable cause

“After a thorough investigation, reviewing voluminous documents, conducting field verification, and evaluating sworn statements from community witnesses. The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file criminal charges in connection with an alleged P96.5 million ghost infrastructure project in Davao, Occidental," Clavano said.

"Criminal information will be filed before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Digos City, Davao del Sur against several officials of DPWH Davao Occidental DEO (District Engineering Office) and private individuals...[the] owners of St. Timothy Construction,” he added. –Llanesca T. Panti, Joahna Lei Casilao, and Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/NB, GMA Integrated News