Authorities have begun detaining individuals accused in a high-value public works anomaly after courts issued arrest warrants linked to an alleged flood control project that investigators say never existed.
Contractor Sarah Discaya, owner of St. Timothy Construction, was placed under National Bureau of Investigation custody after a warrant for her arrest was formally served. Discaya had earlier gone to the NBI in anticipation of the court order and was later transferred to the agency’s detention facility in Muntinlupa following standard booking procedures.
GMA Integrated News reporter John Consulta said Discaya underwent fingerprinting and a medical examination as part of the process, with video footage showing her wearing the yellow shirt designated for NBI detainees.
Her co-accused, Maria Roma Rimando, identified as the construction firm’s president, was separately arrested by the Philippine National Police.
The arrests stem from criminal cases filed over the alleged misuse of public funds amounting to P96.5 million, tied to what prosecutors described as a “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental. The Office of the Ombudsman initiated the charges earlier this month against Discaya, Rimando, and several former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the province.
Those charged from the DPWH Davao Occidental District Engineering Office include Rodrigo Larete, Michael Awa, Joel Lumogdang, Harold John Villaver, Jafael Faunillian, Josephine Valdez, Ranulfo Flores, and Czar Ryan Ubungen.
Following its investigation, the Ombudsman cited extensive document reviews, on-site validation, and sworn statements from residents. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said, “After a thorough investigation, reviewing voluminous documents, conducting field verification, and evaluating sworn statements from community witnesses. The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file criminal charges in connection with an alleged P96.5 million ghost infrastructure project in Davao, Occidental.”
He added, “Criminal information will be filed before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Digos City, Davao del Sur against several officials of DPWH Davao Occidental DEO (District Engineering Office) and private individuals…[the] owners of St. Timothy Construction.”
The cases were initially lodged before the Digos Regional Trial Court but were later transferred to the Regional Trial Court in Lapu-Lapu City. Malversation of public funds, one of the charges faced by the accused, is classified as a non-bailable offense.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. confirmed on Thursday night that the judiciary had already issued arrest warrants against Discaya and her co-accused in connection with the corruption and malversation cases.
