President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that authorities are preparing to serve an arrest warrant against St. Timothy Construction owner Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, a move he confirmed in a video message released on Tuesday. The President said the process is already moving after earlier revealing that one of the contractors tied to controversial flood control projects would soon be apprehended.
“Inaasahan na din nating lalabas ang warrant of arrest ni Sarah Discaya itong linggong ito at hindi na rin magtatagal ang pag-arresto sa kanya,” Marcos said in his recorded statement posted on social media. The President also disclosed that several government personnel implicated in the issue have reached out to investigators. “Meron ding walong taga-DPWH sa Davao Occidental ang nag padala ng sulat na sila ay mag susurender sa NBI dahil sa hinaharap nilang kaso,” he added.
The anti-flood project in Davao Occidental, which allegedly existed only on paper and cost nearly P100 million, has been under scrutiny since Marcos Jr. mentioned last week that charges of malversation and falsification of public documents would be pursued against Discaya and multiple officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Over the weekend, the Philippine National Police reported that intelligence and tracker teams have been deployed to locate Discaya and other individuals tied to what authorities refer to as the missing project. St. Timothy Construction, owned by Sarah Discaya, is one of several firms now being linked to irregularities involving public infrastructure.
Discaya is married to Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, who owns St. Gerrard Construction and a number of other companies. He previously admitted before senators that their businesses worked with lawmakers and DPWH personnel to secure kickbacks in exchange for approving substandard flood control projects.
In his video message, Marcos warned against those attempting to avoid accountability while communities continue to suffer from repeated flooding. “Para sa mga Pilipinong paulit-ulit binabaha, nawawalan ng bahay at kabuhayan, hindi na maaaring nakawin ang pondong para sa inyo at basta na lamang tumakas sa hustisya,” he said.
The President stressed that government action will continue. “Magpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon. Magpapatuloy ang pagpapanagot at sisiguraduhin ng pamahalaan na ang pera ng bayan ay maibabalik sa taumbayan,” Marcos said.
The controversy surrounding the anti-flood projects has coincided with declining approval ratings for the President in recent months, alongside concerns about weakening market confidence, slower spending, and the peso’s depreciation. Marcos earlier pledged to see around 40 individuals linked to the allegations jailed before Christmas.
