Discaya couple may be next to be charged — Remulla
MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya are expected to be the next individuals charged in court over their alleged involvement in widespread anomalous flood control projects.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, November 19, Remulla said some of the Discaya cases have been "submitted for resolution."
"Sa tingin ko, baka sumunod rito, Discaya na. Tapos na 'yung PI [preliminary investigation] sa ibang Discaya cases eh. It's already submitted for resolution na 'yun," Remulla said in a press conference.
(I think the Discaya cases might be next. The preliminary investigation for some of the other Discaya cases is already finished. They have already been submitted for resolution.)
According to Remulla, the possible charges against the contractor couple may depend on the amount involved.
"At least three cases. There are nine Discaya cases in total. Ganun din 'yan. Malversation rin 'yan, saka plunder rin 'yan… depende sa amount involved. Baka early next week. Tingnan natin kung kaya abutin ang Friday. Kasi for resolution na 'yan eh," Remulla said.
Remulla said this a day after the Ombudsman filed malversation and graft cases against Zaldy Co, former officers of the Department of Public Works and Highways and some officers of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp.
When asked why malversation was filed and not plunder, Remulla said it is easier to prove compared to plunder.
"Ang malversation lang kasi is easier to prove compared to uh plunder, which has so much jurisprudence that that will negate any attempts to convict people of plunder," he said.
(Malversation is simply easier to prove compared to plunder, which has so much jurisprudence that it will negate any attempts to convict people of plunder.)
Companies associated with the Discaya family secured approximately 421 government infrastructure and construction projects between 2022 and 2024, valued at roughly P31.04 billion.
The vast majority of these contracts—alleged to be anomalous—were for flood control projects. Firms directly established by the Discaya couple handled the bulk of this work, landing 345 solo and joint contracts worth P25.2 billion, with additional linked companies pushing the total beyond P31 billion.
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