Camille Naredo

Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, owners of St. Gerrard Construction Company, attend a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged ghost flood control projects at the Philippine Senate on September 8, 2025.

Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, owners of St. Gerrard Construction Company, attend a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged ghost flood control projects at the Philippine Senate on September 8, 2025.
Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Contractor Sarah Discaya on Wednesday broke her silence after voluntarily placing herself under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation, where she now awaits the possible issuance of a warrant of arrest in connection with an alleged ghost project in Davao Occidental.Speaking exclusively to ABS-CBN News, Discaya said she is going through a difficult period due to her separation from her family, particularly her children.&quot;My kids are affected. I&#x27;m trying to be strong for them… gusto mong umiyak pero hindi mo magawa para hindi nila makita yung emotions mo,&quot; she said.Discaya had shown up at the NBI office on Tuesday. However, she clarified that her appearance should not be considered an act of surrender, but a move to ensure her safety.&quot;Hindi naman ito more of &#x27;sumuko.&#x27; Para rin itong safekeeping… Ang tumatakas lang, may kasalanan,&quot; she said.She said she felt some relief after being placed under NBI custody: &quot;At least, I&#x27;m somewhere safe… Dito, kahit paano, kampante ako.&quot;<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/9/sarah-discaya-shows-up-at-nbi-amid-looming-arrest-warrant-1531">READ: Sarah Discaya shows up at NBI amid looming arrest warrant</a></div>Discaya, along with several Department of Public Works and Highways executives in Davao Occidental, are facing malversation and falsification of public documents charges over a ghost project worth nearly P100 million.Eight of the DPWH officials had also voluntarily surrendered to the NBI last Sunday, the agency said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/10/8-dpwh-officials-implicated-in-davao-occidental-ghost-project-surrender-to-nbi-1620">READ: 8 DPWH officials implicated in Davao Occidental &#x27;ghost&#x27; project surrender to NBI</a></div>Discaya, however, denied allegations that she is the primary respondent in the graft and malversation cases, insisting that she was merely dragged into the issue.Regarding the auction of some of her vehicles, Discaya denied that the luxury cars were acquired using illegal funds.&quot;Lahat ng kotse ko hulugan… may car loans ako, naka-mortgage ang bahay ko. This can be verified sa bangko,&quot; she said.Discaya said she is prepared to face the cases filed against her and believes that the truth will eventually come out.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the looming warrant against Discaya and other DPWH officials last week, which prompted the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to prepare for the arrest and monitor the whereabouts of the suspects.Meanwhile, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Discaya’s predicament was the product of her own actions. “Maliwanag ito: ang takot ni Ms. Discaya ngayon ay bunga ng mga kilos na siya mismo ang gumawa. Sana’y naisip niya ang kinabukasan ng milyon-milyong Pilipinong inilagay sa peligro nang ilihis ang pondo para sa mga proyektong dapat nagpoprotekta sa kanila laban sa baha,” he said in a statement. “May karapatan siyang sa due process — pero hindi puwedeng gawing palusot ang takot para takasan ang pananagutan. The consequences are here because the choices were hers,” the official added. <div> </div>

Sarah Discaya on Wednesday broke her silence after voluntarily placing herself under the custody of the NBI, where she now awaits the possible issuance of a warrant of arrest in connection with an alleged ghost project in Davao Occidental.

Sarah Discaya on Wednesday broke her silence after voluntarily placing herself under the custody of the NBI, where she now awaits the possible issuance of a warrant of arrest in connection with an alleged ghost project in Davao Occidental.

Sarah Discaya feels 'safe' in NBI custody while awaiting possible warrant

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Sarah Discaya feels 'safe' in NBI custody while awaiting possible warrant

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 10, 2025 08:47 PM PHT

|

Updated December 11, 2025 08:39 AM PHT

Read More:

Sarah Discaya

National Bureau of Investigation

NBI

voluntary custody

flood control projects

ghost project

Davao Occidental

graft

malversation

Tagalog News

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