The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday filed malversation through falsification and graft charges against Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya and several other individuals linked to the P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental.
In a press briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed that this represents the second major case related to flood control anomalies to be filed.
“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 96.5-million-peso ghost infrastructure project in Davao Occidental,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered law enforcement authorities to prepare to take Discaya and other implicated individuals into custody in anticipation of the issuance of arrest warrants against them.
In a video statement, the President said he has ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to locate Discaya and other involved individuals to ensure immediate arrests once warrants are issued.
“Once these cases are filed and the court issues arrest warrants, those responsible will be taken into custody,” he said.
“According to the Ombudsman, the respondents issued and approved documents used to request and release the full amount of nearly P100 million, even though no project was completed or started,” the chief executive lamented.
Clavano noted that the case was filed at around 2:15 p.m. in Digos City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Aside from Discaya of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, other respondents in the case are District Engineer Rodrigo C. Larete, Assistant District Engineer Michael P. Awa, Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando, as well as several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) section chiefs and project engineers.
The DPWH-Davao Occidental officials involved were also preventively suspended for a period of 6 months.
“There was no actual construction. Yet, respondents certified that the project was completed. They are found to have falsified accomplishment reports, issued fraudulent billing documents, and endorsed disbursement vouchers that triggered the release of the entire project cost,” said Clavano.
He said the Ombudsman will continue to look into other project proponents as well as higher officials involved in the fictitious project, but assured that they will be afforded due process, such that a preliminary investigation will also be conducted.l
Mr. Marcos reiterated his previous statement that the conspirators behind the flood control scandal can expect to spend a gloomy Yuletide season.
“This is only the beginning. There are many more to be jailed, many more who will spend Christmas behind bars,” he added.
As this developed, the DILG and the PNP, taking their cue from the President, stated that they are ready to serve the arrest warrants against Discaya and her alleged co-conspirators as soon as they are issued by the courts.
“Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police are ready to arrest individuals responsible for the [almost] P100 million ghost flood control project in Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental,” the Department said in a statement. With Vince Lopez
