Contractor Sarah Discaya and other accused plead not guilty to charges in line with alleged anomalous flood control projects in Davao Occidental. 

They were arraigned before the Regional Trial Court in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu morning on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

The arraignment of Discaya, Ma. Roma Rimando, and eight officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Davao Occidental proceeded after the court dismissed the motion to quash information and motion to transfer custody of the 10 accused back to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). 

Meanwhile,  Atty. Paul Sato, legal counsel of the DPWH officials, cited that Joel Lumogdang, chief of Construction Section of DPWH Davao Occidental (officer-in-charge capacity) retired on May 16, 2025. 

Further, Atty. Joseph Randi Torregosa presented that his client, Rodrigo Larete, is also a retiree. However, because Torregosa has not presented yet the documents to prove that Larete has already retired from the service, it is only Lumogdang that the court did not place under preventive suspension. 

The pre-trial is set on February 3, 2026. 

None of the accused gave a statement to members of the media.