Discaya among contractor reps who skipped key House hearing

MANILA, Philippines — Construction magnate Sarah Discaya, including four other representatives of invited contractors, were missing at the first hearing of the House infrastructure committee's probe into anomalous and ghost flood control projects.

The joint committee's first hearing, held on Tuesday, September 2, invited a total of 16 contractors, 15 of which are the top contractors that bagged over P100 billion in flood control contracts during the first half of the Marcos Jr. administration.

While most representatives were present, five contractors were absent. These included: 

1. Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corp. 
   • Representative: Cezarah Rowena "Sarah" C. Discaya, who serves as the firm's president and is linked to eight other flood control contractors  
2. St. Timothy Construction Corp. 
   • Representative: Miguel Juntura, who serves as the firm's authorized managing officer and was once an employee of St. Gerrard Construction Corp
3. Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp. 
   • Representative: Romeo C. Miranda, who serves as the firm's president and general manager 
4. Wawao Builders 
   • Representative: Mark Allan Villamor Arevalo, who serves as the firm's president and sole proprietor
5. SYMS Construction Trading Corp. 
   • Representative: Sally N. Santos

The prior probe

Discaya and Arevalo were present at the Senate probe on Monday, September 1, where they were grilled over their involvement in flood control projects found to have been built with substandard materials or simply left to the dirt. 

During the hearing, Arevalo refused to answer Sen. Joel Villanueva when asked whether Wawao Builders had abandoned any flood control projects. Instead of responding with a yes or no, he invoked his right against self-incrimination.  

The Senate also did not spare Discaya from the tough interrogation. She was asked about her ties to nine government contractors, her family's luxury cars and alleged involvement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

All she admitted to, despite fumbling with contradictions in the first place, except for the links to the dubious flood control projects under her firm's helm and connections with DPWH officials.  

RELATED: Discaya denies contractor ties, ghost projects; admits to owning 28 luxury cars

Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District), who chairs the good government committee, sought to issue summons for the representatives of these five construction firms, compelling them to attend the next hearing. 

"Mr. Chair, I move that we issue a subpoena to those contractors who did not attend in today's scheduled hearing," Chua said. which was immediately seconded and carried by the committee.  

Meanwhile, the government contractors present at the hearing were:

1. Legacy Construction Corporation
   • Representative: Alex H. Abelido, who serves as the firm's president
2. QM Builders
   • Representative: Allan B. Quirante, who serves as the firm's proprietor and manager
3. EGB Construction Corp.
   • Representative: Erni G. Baggao, who serves as the firm's owner and president 
4. Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
   • Representative: Eumir C. Villanueva, who serves as the firm's president. He was absent at the Senate probe, cited in contempt and ordered arrested. 
   • According to the committee secretariat, Villanueva said he will attend the next hearing as he has a "prior commitment" on the scheduled hearing.  
5. Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
   • Representative: Lawrence Lubiano, who serves as the firm's president and is reportedly one of the top campaign donors of Sen. Chiz Escudero in the 2022 senatorial elections
6. Sunwest Inc.
   • Representative: Aderma Angelie D. Alcazar, who serves as the firm's president and CEO. The firm was founded by Rep. Elizady Co (Ako Bicol Party-list).
7. Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
   • Representative: Edgar C. Acosta, who serves as the firm's president. The Senate issued a show cause order to compel Acosta to explain why he sent a representative instead. 
8. Triple 8 Construction & Supply Inc.
   • Representative: Wildredo M. Natividad, who owns the firm and serves as its general manager 
9. MG Samidan Construction
   • Representative: Marjorie Samidan, who owns the firm, and has since denied any involvement in ghost projects.
   • The committee secretariat said Samidan sent an authorized representative to the hearing. 
10. L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc.
    • Representative: Luisito R. Tiqui, who serves as the firm's president. 
11. Road Edge Trading & Development Services
    • Representative: Ryan Willie D. Uy, who serves as the firm's proprietor and general manager. 

It remains unclear whether all the invited representatives were present or if some sent authorized representatives to the hearing instead.

The joint panel is composed of the committees on public accounts, public works and highways, and good government and public accountability.