SC junks Sarah Discaya petition assailing flood control case against her

The Supreme Court (SC) has junked the petition for certiorari filed by embattled contractor Sarah Discaya assailing the Ombudsman’s finding of probable cause against her over a P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental. 

The SC, in en banc session on April 8, ruled that the petition had become “moot” after the Office of the Ombudsman filed the corresponding charges against the contractor with the regional trial court, which subsequently issued a warrant of arrest.

“Although exceptions exist to safeguard constitutional rights, maintain orderly justice, or when charges are baseless or beyond authority, Discaya did not demonstrate any of these exceptions,” the SC Office of the Spokesperson said in a briefer released Friday. 

“The SC emphasized that determining probable cause during preliminary investigation is the exclusive function of the public prosecutor. As a rule, courts do not interfere with this determination. The SC further noted that the Ombudsman’s findings were supported by substantial evidence,” it added. 

Discaya is currently detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail. 

In December 2025, the Ombudsman filed malversation and corruption charges against contractors Discaya and Maria Roma Angeline Rimando of St. Timothy Construction, and Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Occidental officials over a P96.5-million ghost flood control project in the province. —Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA News