Customs to inspect Discayas’ imported luxury cars stored in warehouse

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs said it will “immediately look into” the imported luxury cars of the Discaya family, owners of multiple construction firms tied to multi-billion-peso flood control projects.

During an interview with Ted Failon and DJ Chacha, Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno was asked if the BOC has any plans to investigate the Discayas high-end cars simply stored in a warehouse.

“Since naopen naman po yang impormasyon diyan, patitingan ko po kaagad. Makakaasa po kayo,” he said on Monday, August 25. 

(Since information on that has been opened, we’ll have it looked into immediately. You can trust it.)  

Sarah Discaya, who ran against Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto in the 2025 midterm elections, and her husband Curlee were featured in two sit-down interviews before the campaign period. 

These interviews included a house tour and a look inside their warehouse, said to hold 40 luxury cars, with one interview by Korina Sanchez on “Korina Interviews” and another by Julius Babao.

Sotto’s recent comments on the ethics of potentially paid interviews have resurfaced the lifestyle features, where the Discayas were seen flaunting their wealth and cars. 

In Babao’s interview, Sarah and Curlee showcased their collection of 40 high-end cars, admitting they don’t use all of them. 

The couple mentioned brands such as Cadillac, GMC Denali, Ford Bronco, Mercedes-Benz, Bentley and Porsche, some of which they said were imported from the United States. 

Sarah, however, explained that the reason why they have this many cars is also to show their clients their “capacity to execute a project.” 

Can the BOC inspect cars? 

The Bureau of Customs has the authority to investigate vehicles, particularly imported luxury cars, to ensure they were legally imported and all duties and taxes were properly paid.

Through a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by the commissioner, the BOC can inspect vehicles at commercial establishments or warehouses. 

LOAs give owners, lessees, lessors, occupants or other parties a few weeks to submit documents proving that duties and taxes were correctly paid.

“Subalit… ang kapangyarihan ng BOC sa pamamagitan ko po, ‘yung LOA pwede ko gamitin kaagad yan kapag commercial establishments po o warehousing,” Nepomuceno said. 

(However… the authority of the BOC, through me, via the LOA, can be used immediately for commercial establishments or warehouses.)

However, if the vehicles are located in private homes or residential areas, a court order would be required.

“Subalit ‘pag bahay o residential na bahay po yan, kailangan po natin ng korte po ‘yan. Titignan po natin. Aapplyan po natin ‘yan,” he added.  

(However, if it’s a house or a residential property, we would need a court order. We will look into it and apply for one.)

The BOC is capable of seizing smuggled vehicles. Those caught with no proper documents may face charges under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. 

Flood control projects

The Discayas have been under fire over flood control contracts it has bagged across the country. In Iloilo City, Mayor Raisa Treñas has reported some of them to be nonexistent or nonfunctional. 

Meanwhile, in Pasig City, Mayor Vico Sotto has called out St. Gerrard Construction Corp. over investigations into fraud, contract anomalies, dummy use and substandard materials.

According to the Sumbong sa Pangulo list of flood control projects, nine construction firms linked to the Discayas have secured contracts worth roughly P30 billion since 2022.

RELATED: 2 top flood-control contractors linked to Vico Sotto's rivals in Pasig

Two of the top 15 contractors, which cornered over P100 billion in flood control contracts, were reportedly tied to the Discayas.  

The government has been investigating the administration’s failed flood control projects and alleged corruption involving the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), government officials and contractors.