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Mark Ernest Villeza - The Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 | 12:00am
Spouses Curlee and Sarah Discaya arrive at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Padre Faura, Manila, on Friday, December 19, for the preliminary investigation into the P7.1-billion tax evasion case filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
The STAR / Edd Gunman
MANILA, Philippines — Contractor Sarah Discaya was flown to Cebu yesterday following her arrest over graft and malversation charges in connection with the P96.5-million alleged “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Discaya was transferred to Cebu because the arrest warrants were issued by a designated graft court in the city.
Acting NBI Director Angelito Magno said the warrants were issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Lapu-Lapu City, explaining that graft cases are raffled to specific courts.
Discaya appeared at the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the preliminary investigation of P7.18-billion tax evasion complaints filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue before being returned to NBI custody to await her flight.
Filed in October, the BIR complaints allege that the construction companies of Sarah and her husband Curlee failed to pay income, excise and documentary stamp taxes from 2018 to 2021.
DOJ Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the Discayas have filed their rejoinders, and the cases are now submitted for resolution.
“We can expect that by next week we will have the resolution out already,” Fadullon said.
After the investigation, Sarah arrived at NAIA Terminal 2 at 1:40 p.m., accompanied by seven NBI agents, and was flown to Cebu for the return of the warrants.
NBI agents escorting Discaya underwent firearm inspection and documentation by the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group prior to entering the airport.
Discaya was arrested at the NBI headquarters in Pasay City, where she had voluntarily surrendered on Dec. 8.
On Thursday, authorities served arrest warrants against her and nine others for malversation of public funds and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the alleged anomalous flood control project.
The malversation charge against Discaya is non-bailable.
In a related development, Pasig City police arrested Ma. Roma Rimando, president of the Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction Corp., late Thursday night for her alleged involvement in the same project.
Police said the warrant was served at around 10 p.m., noting that authorities did not need to conduct a manhunt as Rimando voluntarily surrendered.
Also present during her arrest was her legal counsel, Cornelio Samaniego III.
After the warrant was served, Rimando underwent a medical examination at Rizal Memorial Hospital while awaiting her transfer and court commitment to Lapu-Lapu City, where the case is pending. — Elizabeth Marcelo, Rudy Santos, Emmanuel Tupas
