No Christmas family visit for Sarah Discaya — BJMP

Controversial contractor Sarah Discaya did not have personal family visits over the Christmas holidays at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail in Mactan, Cebu, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said on Sunday.

BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said Discaya has been limited to online visits, with most of her interactions coming from her lawyer.

“So far, there have been no personal visits because visitation is strictly through online platforms. Most of her visits have been from her lawyer, and her food is sent from outside and inspected before being allowed inside,” Bustinera said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

Discaya and eight former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao Occidental were committed to the Lapu-Lapu City Jail on December 19 after warrants of arrest were issued against them.

Discaya is currently being held at the jail facility’s female dormitory.

The controversial contractor, whose firms were allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects, earlier filed an urgent motion before the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court seeking to remain under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

In response, the BJMP said it has already submitted its comment to the petition.

“We have already submitted our comment since we were given no more than ten days. With the upcoming holidays, our warden sent it ahead of time. Our position is that the BJMP facility is fully prepared, regardless of whether the detainee is a high-profile individual,” Bustinera said.—MCG, GMA Integrated News