Discayas liable for incomplete P108 million film heritage project

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday refuted the Discayas’ claim that the unfinished works at the Philippine Film Heritage Building in Manila are not covered by the contract awarded to their company.

As the government probes supposed irregularities surrounding flood control projects, Palace press officer Claire Castro bared last Thursday what she labeled as “substandard” construction work under a program of First Lady Liza Marcos.

According to her, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) building in Intramuros, which was supposed to be turned over to the government last Sept. 4, remains unfinished.

She added that the contractor for the P107.98-million project is Great Pacific Builders and Gen. Contractor, Inc., a company owned by Sarah Discaya, who has been linked to alleged anomalous flood mitigation structures.

The Discaya camp denied this, saying Great Pacific Builders and Gen. Contractor, Inc. had already turned over the first phase of the project last December and that another company handled the project’s second phase.

In a text message to reporters yesterday, Castro described the Discayas’ claim as “wrong information.”

“The Discayas should first study all the contracts entered into by and between Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc. and DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). They might have forgotten their commitments, considering the numerous projects that they got from the government,” Castro said.

She said the contractor voluntarily entered into a contract agreement dated Jan. 2, 2025 with DPWH, represented by Manny Bulusan, officer-in-charge of the district engineer.

The contractor had agreed to execute the “works” under contract ID 230H0119: local program/national building program/buildings and other structures – multi-purpose/facilities – construction of FDCP Film Heritage Building in Intramuros, for a contract price of about P108 million.

The contract, Castro said, has a project duration of 240 calendar days with the original expiry date of Sept. 4, 2025.

“Moreover, this ‘contract’ is not the same work/contract mentioned by the counsel (for the Discayas) which was allegedly completed by his clients in December 2024,” Castro said.

“Common sense will dictate that the contractor cannot finish the project in December 2024 when the contract was merely executed into a contract on Jan. 2, 2025. How can the contract be completed in December 2024, but the contract is scheduled to start in January 2025?” she added.

In an interview with reporters last Thursday, Castro revealed that the unfinished building also has several issues, such as leaks in the comfort room ceiling and clogged drainage.

Other problems she mentioned were the rooftop heat insulation not finished properly, the unfinished cinematheque, the elevator that did not meet quality standards, the improper placement of downspouts, the emergency exit doors that are difficult to open and the exposed piping on the main stairs.

She said the unfinished project would be investigated as it is possible that the contractor had colluded with some public works officials.

Great Pacific Builders and Gen. Contractor Inc. is one of nine firms owned by Discaya whose contractor licenses have been revoked by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board. — Bella Cariaso