By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Friday that controversial contractor Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya and other personalities will face criminal charges in connection with the “ghost” flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.
In a video message, Marcos said the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of malversation through falsification and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Apart from Discaya, other respondents were Ma. Roma Angeline Remando, representatives of St. Timothy Construction Corp., as well as several personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Marcos noted.
Citing the Ombudsman’s findings on the alleged ghost flood-control project in Culaman, Jose Abad Santos involving nearly P100 million in public funds, Marcos said the project was awarded to St. Timothy Construction Corporation on Jan. 13, 2022 and was declared “completed” in the same year but was never started.
Marcos Jr. said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group found no trace of construction at the project site during its inspection conducted on Sept. 25.
He added that indigenous peoples’ representatives and village officials also executed a joint affidavit confirming that no implementation of the project took place.
“Natuklasan ng ombudsman ‘yung mga isinumiting final billing, certificate of completion at inspection reports ay palsipikado o hindi tumutugma sa aktwal na kalagayan ng proyekto,” Marcos Jr.said.
“Maging mga video at larawan na hinarap ng respondent ay walang time stamp at hindi ma-validate na tumutukoy sa proyektong ito,” he added.
Marcos Jr. said the Ombudsman also found that the respondents authorized and approved documents used to request and release the full project amount despite the absence of any completed or initiated work.
“Ayon sa kanilang finding, ang mga respondent na ito ay kumilos ng may manifest partiality, bad faith o gross negligence. Nagdulot sila ng undue injury sa gobyerno at nagbigay ng unwarranted benefit sa kontrakto at may pakikialam ang ilang private respondent sa nangyaring sabwatan,” he said.
With malversation classified as a non-bailable offense, the judiciary is expected to issue arrest warrants against Discaya and other individuals, Pres. Marcos Jr. said.
The President said he directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police to secure the whereabouts of Discaya and the other respondents to ensure their immediate arrest once warrants are released.
“Umpisa pa lang ito,” he said, adding that more cases linked to irregular flood-control projects may follow.
“Marami pa tayong ipapakulong at marami pang magpapasko sa kulungan.”
In a statement, the DILG assured the public it is closely monitoring the whereabouts of the accused.
“As the President reminded, no one can escape the law. Those involved will be held accountable and the people can be assured that justice will be served to those who commit corruption and malfeasance,” said the DILG.
For his part, acting PNP chief PLt.Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. acknowledged the President’s recent disclosure about a “ghost flood-control project” in Davao Occidental.
“We take these reports with utmost seriousness and remain fully committed to ensuring that justice is pursued, public funds are safeguarded, and all accountable individuals are brought before the law,” Nartatez said in a statement.
“Consistent with our mandate to uphold law and order, and following the Ombudsman’s filing of criminal information against those implicated, the PNP stands ready to serve the warrants of arrest once issued by the Court. All actions will be carried out with full adherence to due process, respect for human rights, and the presumption of innocence,” he stressed.
He said the PNP supports the ongoing investigations led by concerned government agencies and stands ready to assist in evidence-gathering and other processes.
“We encourage citizens—particularly those with direct knowledge or relevant information—to cooperate with authorities. Transparency and community involvement are vital to ensuring accountability and protecting public resources,” said Nartatez. (With report from Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan / PNA)
