Malacañang yesterday assured that the government’s investigation into anomalous flood control projects will continue into the New Year, promising that more individuals involved in plundering the country’s coffers will be arrested in 2026.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said some sectors have drawn parallels between the Discaya couple and convicted pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, citing the sheer extent of the wealth they amassed through their lack of scruples.
“Some quarters are calling the Discaya couple the new Napoles, but their unexplained wealth is ten times over,” Gomez said to emphasize that the contractor couple’s alleged loot is substantially larger than the amount involved in the 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.
The Palace official emphasized that the flood control investigation is still in its early stages and cannot possibly be concluded by the close of the current year.
He said the probe has been underway for only a little over four months, compared to the nearly yearlong investigation into the Napoles case before suspects were jailed.
“The flood control investigation does not end on December 25,” Gomez said.
He also pointed out that the Discayas and Lim-Napoles all spent the holidays behind bars, proving that the government’s efforts to curb corruption are producing results.
“There will surely be more thrown behind bars in the New Year,” he added.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has assured the public that by Christmas Day, individuals involved in the anomalous “ghost” flood control projects would be arrested as part of the administration’s commitment to accountability and justice.
Earlier this week, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto warned the public not to be misled by propaganda that portrays Sarah and Pacifico Discaya as mere “small fish” in a larger scheme of corruption surrounding flood control projects.
He referenced a report from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), stating that bank accounts linked to just four of their nine companies recorded inflows exceeding P180 billion.
“As AMLC reported, bank accounts related to just 4 of their 9 companies had inflows of over P180 billion [there are other companies, dummies, and cash not yet included in this number]. And if we look closely, they are not just contractors, but instigators,” the Mayor said.
