President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assured that more individuals—including Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya—involved in the anomalous flood control projects would be held accountable, stating, “marami pang magpapasko sa kulungan.”
In a video released on Friday, December 5, Marcos revealed that a flood control project worth P100 million in Culaman, Davao Occidental, is also among the “ghost projects” that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) previously reported.
“Sa inspeksyon ng CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group] noong September 25, 2025, natukoy na walang anumang konstruksyon sa lugar na ‘yon. Kinumpirma ng mga indigenous people at barangay officials sa kanilang joint affidavit na walang naganap na implementasyon ng proyekto,” the President explained.
The Office of the Ombudsman found that the submitted documents, including the final billing, certificate of completion, and inspection reports, had been falsified and did not match the actual project. Moreover, the videos and photos presented by the respondents lacked timestamps. Officials were also unable to verify the project's status.
“May mga private at public na indibidwal na pinangalanan sa reklamo na kinabibilangan ng sa St. Timothy [Construction] na si Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” C. Discaya at Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando. Mayroon pang iba, mga ibang nasa ahensya ng DPWH na nasama rin sa kasong ito,” Marcos revealed.
According to the Ombudsman, the respondents released and approved documents that were used to request and release P100 million, despite it being a “ghost project.” Based on their findings, the respondents acted with manifest partiality, bad faith, or gross negligence. Marcos emphasized that they also caused undue injury to the government and gave unwarranted benefits to contractors.
“At may pakikialam ang ilang private respondents sa naging sabwatan. Nag rekumenda na ang Ombudsman na magsampa ng kaso para sa Malversation through Falsification at paglabag ng RA 3019 Section 3(e),” Marcos explained.
“Ang malversation ay non-bailable. Mabigat ito dahil hindi nila mababayaran ang kanilang paglaya. Pag naisampa na ang mga kasong ito sa Korte, ang susunod na hakbang ng Judiciary ay ang paglabas ng arrest warrant para sa mga pinangalanang indibidwal,” he added.
Marcos revealed that he had also directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that both agencies are aware of the whereabouts of Discaya and others.
“Para paglabas ng arrest warrant, ay maaresto na sila kaagad. Umpisa pa lang ito, marami pa tayong ipapakulong, at marami pang magpapasko sa kulungan,” he stated.
