DILG dismisses alleged risks to Sarah Discaya's safety

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) dismissed Thursday supposed risks to the safety of contractor Sarah Discaya amid the probe into anomalous flood control projects.

Interviewed on GTV's Balitanghali, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that he recently had a meeting with Justice Acting Secretary Fredderick Vida in connection with Discaya's case.

"Well, we're working very closely. In fact, 10 minutes ago, nag-usap lang kami ni Secretary of Justice Vida. Coordinated naman ang [National Bureau of Investigation] at [Philippine National Police] sa ginagawa namin," Remulla said.

(Well, we're working very closely. In fact, Secretary of Justice Vida and I spoke just 10 minutes ago. We are coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police.)

"We don't believe there is a risk for her," he added.

This developed after Discaya said in a media interview that she considered her safety in deciding to place herself under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Her lawyer, meanwhile, had said this was a "strategic legal move" and not an admission of any wrongdoing.

Remulla appreciated Discaya's move, saying the courts may consider her action. 

"Mabuti nga na nag-surrender na lang siya kaysa hinanap kasi we have never considered her as armed and dangerous. Kung maging wanted siya, so we would have arrested her in a natural way," Remulla said.

(It's good that she just surrendered rather than being hunted down because we have never considered her as armed and dangerous. If she was wanted, we would have arrested her in a natural way.)

"Napakalaking bagay niyan and it shows good faith on her part. I'm sure the courts will consider pero siyempre ang batas ang masusunod dito," he added.

(That's a big deal and it shows good faith on her part. I'm sure the courts will consider it but, of course, the law will be followed.)

Discaya went to the NBI after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said an arrest warrant was set to be issued against her in connection with anomalous flood control projects.

She and her husband Pacifico are under probe after their construction firms were tagged in the anomalies.

They own the Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corporation, one of the 15 companies named by Marcos that secured 20% of the flood control projects in the country. 

Discaya and nine others are facing cases for alleged malversation of public funds and alleged violation of 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.

Her lawyer Atty. Cornelio Samanego III said: "'Yung project na iyan, tapos po iyan. Actually nakuha 'yan ng St. Timothy noong year 2022 pa. Nagkaroon po ng construction agad. Ang problema po nagkaroon po ng mga pagbaha doon sa mga lugar na iyon. Nasira, ni-repair. Nasalanta na naman ng bagyo, nasira, ni-repair ulit," he said.

(That project is completed. Actually, St. Timothy got it in 2022. Construction started immediately. The problem was that there were floods in those areas. It was damaged and repaired. The typhoon devastated it again. It got damaged, and it was repaired again.)

"Tama naman po na nu'ng nagpunta sila, sira po ang flood control project doon sa Digos City. Ngayon po, noong last month, nakumpleto na po 'yan, base po sa mga dokumentong binigay ng mga public respondents coming from DPWH Davao Occidental," he added.

(That's right, when they inspected, the flood control project in Digos City was damaged. Last month, it was completed, based on documents provided by public respondents coming from DPWH Davao Occidental.)

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.

They eventually stopped coordinating with the Department of Justice. — VDV, GMA Integrated News