Sarah Discaya, Rimando nabbed over P96.5M ghost flood control project

The authorities have arrested contractors Sarah Discaya and Maria Roma Rimando for corruption and malversation of funds charges in connection with the P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental.

Discaya, the owner of St. Timothy Construction, was formally served the warrant by the National Bureau of Investigation as she turned herself in to the NBI several days back in anticipation of the warrant of arrest. She was taken to the NBI detention facility in Muntinlupa after getting processed.

Rimando, the president of the construction company, was arrested by the Philippine National Police.

According to John Consulta of GMA Integrated News, Discaya had her fingerprints taken and went through a medical examination in connection with the service of the warrant. Videos showed that she was made to wear an NBI detainee's yellow shirt while she was processed.

The Ombudsman filed charges against her before the Digos Regional Trial Court. The charges have since been transferred to the Lapu-lapu Regional Trial Court.

Malversation of public funds is a non-bailable offense.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., on Thursday night, announced that the court had already issued the warrant of arrest on Discaya and her co-accused in the malversation and corruption cases.

In early December, the Office of the Ombudsman charged Discaya, Rimando, and former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao Occidental over a P96.5-million ghost flood control project in the province.

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

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," Assistant Ombudsman Mico 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.–NB, GMA Integrated News