President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Tuesday that eight Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel in Davao Occidental have expressed their intent to surrender to authorities over alleged involvement in irregular flood control projects in the province.
“The investigation will continue. The accountability will continue,” President Marcos said in a video report.
“Ensure that the government guarantees that the people’s money will be returned to the citizens,” he added.
President Marcos also announced that a warrant of arrest for businesswoman Cezarah Rowena ‘Sarah’ Discaya is expected to be issued within the week.
Discaya is being investigated in connection with flood control contracts, reportedly fully paid for but never completed.
Last week, Mr. Marcos reported that the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended criminal charges against Discaya and St. Timothy Construction Corp. over a nearly P100-million flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, that was fully paid for despite never being built.
The contract, awarded in January 2022, was later reported as completed, but a joint police inspection in September 2025 found no trace of construction.
Indigenous residents and barangay officials likewise affirmed that no work ever took place.
President Marcos named Discaya and Maria Roma Angeline Remando of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, along with unnamed DPWH personnel, as respondents for alleged malversation through falsification and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
He ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government and Philippine National Police to locate the suspects and prepare for immediate custody once warrants are issued.
