The pre-trial for the case on malversation of public funds and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against beleaguered contractor Sarah Discaya and nine other accused was moved to February 27, 2026.

Earlier, the pre-trial at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27 in Lapu-Lapu City was set at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, for the case on the P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental.

Prior to the start of the proceeding, Presiding Judge Nelson Leyco heard the motion of the lawyers of the accused on the attendance of their clients via video conferencing.

Atty. Paul Tristan Sato emphasized the security concerns of the accused.

Leyco said that while he is in favor of the personal appearance of the accused, he allows video conferencing on February 3 and succeeding hearings, unless bodily presence is highly required based on court rules.

On the part of the prosecution, they informed the judge that the legal counsels of the Visayas Ombudsman will serve as prosecutors instead of the Mindanao Ombudsman.

Atty. Jess dela Peña, Visayas Ombudsman lead prosecutor, pointed out that the prosecution team received the order from their head office on the task to prosecute the case instead of the Mindanao Ombudsman which first handled the case.

Further, Leyco checked the prosecution on the marking of documentary evidence, but this has yet to be completed as documents reached at least 4,000 pages. In fact, the documents are held in three pieces of luggage.

In line with this, the judge decided that the markings be completed first beginning afternoon of February 3 to afternoon on February 13.

The pre-trial was moved to February 27 at 2 p.m.

GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak sought comments from the legal counsels of the accused. However, they refused to issue a statement.

Moreover, Leyco said that the petition for bail pushed by the legal counsels of all accused will be heard after the pre-trial.

The other accused are Ma. Roma Rimando, executive officer of St. Timothy Construction, and eight officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways.