Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday said he wants former Pasig City mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya to identify the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials who allegedly helped her company secure flood control projects.
“Well, first of all, I will ask her, sino ba ang kontak mo diyan sa DPWH? How come you garnered a lot [of] contracts there?” Estrada told ANC.
Estrada raised suspicions of collusion, pointing out that only 15 contractors cornered the majority of flood control deals nationwide. Among them was Discaya’s firm. “Collusion, number 1, pangalawa, siguro nag-aaadvance na itong mga contractor sa mga opisyal DPWH… Siguro yayariin nila yung bidding,” he said.
The President earlier ordered St. Timothy Construction — a firm linked to Discaya and her husband Pacifico — to explain why a P100-billion flood control project in Bulacan remained unfinished and substandard more than two years past its target completion.
Possible arrests looms over absent contractors
Estrada also revealed he will push the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to issue warrants of arrest against contractors who continue to snub the Senate’s hearings. “Once the excuse is unacceptable, I will really move for their arrest, for the committee to issue a warrant of arrest,” he told ANC.
Senate President Francis Escudero confirmed that subpoenas had already been signed to compel several construction company executives, including Discaya, to attend the next hearing on questionable flood projects.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan meanwhile admitted before senators that “ghost projects” were discovered in Bulacan and promised to investigate.
The ongoing inquiry stemmed from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s public disclosure that 15 firms bagged about 20 percent of nearly 10,000 flood control projects between July 2022 and May 2025, amounting to some ₱100 billion.
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who leads the investigation, signaled that the probe will be limited to around five hearings, underscoring the Senate’s intent to resolve the issue swiftly.
