Marcos: Arrest warrant for Sarah Discaya out this week

President Ferdinand Marcos said the warrant for the arrest of contractor Sarah Discaya is expected this week.

"Inaasahan na din nating lalabas ang warrant of arrest ni Sarah Discaya itong linggong ito, at hindi na rin magtatagal ang pag-aresto sa kanya," Marcos said in a video message on Tuesday.

(We expect the warrant for the arrest of Sarah Discaya this week, and it will not take long before her arrest.)

The President also announced that eight personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao Occidental have sent letters expressing their intention to surrender before the National Bureau of Investigation to face their cases related to the flood control anomalies.

"Magpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon. Magpapatuloy ang pagpapanagot. At sisiguraduhin ng pamahalaan na ang pera ng bayan ay maibabalik sa taumbayan," Marcos said.

(The investigation will continue. The efforts toward accountability will continue.  This administration will ensure that the people's money will be returned.)

Discaya (Cezarah Rowena Discaya) is known as the wife of fellow businessman Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya. Both are widely recognized for their large construction firms like Alpha and Omega Construction and St. Gerrard Construction Company, which secured multi-billion government flood control and infrastructure projects in the country.

Discaya and nine others are facing cases for alleged malversation of public funds and alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Barangay Culaman in Jose Abad Santos town in Davao Occidental.

Marcos said he has ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to make sure that they know the location of contractor Sarah Discaya and others charged.

Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced the revocation of its corporate registration along with the  St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation for “submitting false beneficial ownership information.” —LDF, GMA Integrated News