Sarah Discaya shows up at NBI as arrest warrant looms

Contractor Sarah Discaya went to the National Bureau of Investigation Tuesday to surrender after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that an arrest warrant is set to be issued against her in connection with the anomalous flood control projects.

"Yes, Ma'am Sarah voluntarily surrendered to NBI this morning," said Cornelio Samaniego III, the lawyer of the Discayas, told GMA News Online in a text message.

According to GMA Integrated News’ John Consulta, Discaya surrendered to NBI’s headquarters in Pasay City at 10 a.m. following the President’s statement. 

The contractor reportedly reached out to the NBI about her surrender. She is currently waiting for the arrest warrant to be issued against her, the report said. 

In a video message released earlier in the day, Marcos said a warrant for the arrest of 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 

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

Discaya and her husband Pacifico are in hot water after their construction firms were tagged in the anomalies in the country’s flood control projects. They own the Alpha and Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation, one of the 15 companies named by Marcos that secured 20% of the flood control projects in the country. 

Marcos also said that there were also eight personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao Occidental who have sent letters expressing their intention to surrender before the NBI to face their cases related to the flood control anomalies.

Discaya and nine others, including her husband's niece Ma. Roma Anegline Romando of St. Timothy Construction,  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.

Samaniego also told GMA News Online that Rimando has also surrendered to the Pasig Police on Monday night, December 8.

"Yes, she surrendered voluntarily last night. Thank you," he said in a text message. 

The Discaya couple earlier expressed intent to be state witnesses in the probe, but the Office of the Ombudsman said they have zero chance of being one because of their deep involvement in the anomalies. 

The couple eventually stopped coordinating with the Department of Justice. —AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News