Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has revealed that contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya cornered nearly ₱78 billion worth of government projects from 2016 to 2025, making them among the biggest beneficiaries of public works contracts in recent years.
Dizon, in a press briefing on Friday, said records of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) showed the Discayas’ firms bagged 1,214 flood control projects valued at ₱77.934 billion since the start of the Duterte administration. He noted that from 2023 to 2025, their companies consistently ranked in the “Top 2 or 3” in terms of contract awards.
“The Discayas are the champions here,” Dizon said, stressing that their case is being prioritized since they are already facing graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The DPWH earlier filed criminal complaints against the couple and several officials over alleged anomalies in infrastructure projects. Despite this, the Department of Justice admitted the Discayas into the Witness Protection Program, citing their testimonies in the Senate where they admitted involvement in rigged biddings.
On Friday, Dizon confirmed that the DPWH also endorsed the couple’s case to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) for possible anti-competitive practices, warning that they could face penalties of up to ₱300 billion if proven liable.
Citing records from the Land Registration Authority, Dizon said the Discayas accumulated 18 properties with an estimated value of ₱1 billion during this period. He added that the government is now moving to recover public funds, including ₱89 million in surety bonds linked to substandard flood control projects in Bulacan.
“It is important for us to hold contractors accountable and for them to return the money of our taxpayers,” Dizon said.
