Customs remits P102.5M from Discaya car auctions to Treasury

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has turned over more than P102 million in proceeds from public auctions of seized vehicles linked to contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya to the Bureau of Treasury.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led a ceremonial turnover on Tuesday, handing over P102,468,884.15 generated from the sale of nine of 13 confiscated vehicles.

The Treasury was represented by officer-in-charge for the Complaints and Investigation Division, lawyer Jerekko Cadorna.

The 13 luxury vehicles were seized for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). These include:

• 2022 Toyota Tundra
• 2023 Toyota Sequoia
• 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan
• 2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
• 2019 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus
• 2021 Lincoln Navigator L
• 2022 Bentley Bentayga
• 2024 Lincoln Navigator
• 2022 GMC Yukon Denali
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade
• 2022 Maserati Levante Modena
• 2022 GMC Yukon XL Denali
• 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The BOC held a series of public auctions to dispose of the vehicles and recover alleged ill-gotten wealth linked to the flood control corruption scheme.

The first auction, on November 20, 2025, saw the 2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG sold for P15.6 million; the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus for P15.5 million; and the 2021 Lincoln Navigator L for P7.1 million, generating over P38.2 million in total.

The second auction, held on December 5, 2025, sold the 2022 Toyota Tundra for P3.48 million and the 2023 Toyota Sequoia for P6 million.

The third auction, held on February 11, included the 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which became infamous for reportedly being purchased by Sarah Discaya because it came with a free umbrella. It sold for P29.02 million.

The fourth auction, on February 25, sold the 2024 Lincoln Navigator for P6.95 million; the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV for P6.62 million, and the 2022 Bentley Bentayga for P12.18 million, generating P25.75 million in total.

Nepomuceno said the four remaining Discaya-linked vehicles—the 2022 GMC Yukon Denali, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2022 Maserati Levante Modena, and 2022 GMC Yukon XL Denali—will be auctioned along with 21 other seized luxury vehicles on March 17.

The BOC expects the upcoming auction to generate at least P700 million, with P16 million coming from the remaining Discaya vehicles.

Nepomuceno said the proceeds turned over to the Treasury will be used for "programs that benefit Filipinos."

"The successful auction and turnover of these proceeds demonstrate the Bureau of Customs' resolve to enforce the law while ensuring that recovered assets are returned to the Filipino people and utilized to support national development," the Customs chief said.—MCG, GMA Integrated News