Discaya surrenders to NBI ahead of arrest warrant
Controversial public works contractor Sarah Discaya voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday in anticipation of a warrant of arrest being issued over the graft and malversation charges filed against her and several others last week.
Discaya’s spokesperson, Cornelio Samaniego III, confirmed to reporters that the businesswoman went to the NBI headquarters in Pasay City accompanied by counsel to demonstrate that “she’s not hiding anything.”
“She respects legal processes,” Samaniego later said in a message to the Inquirer, adding Discaya was still at the bureau headquarters as of 7 p.m.
News of Discaya’s voluntary surrender came hours after President Marcos, in a video released by his office, said an arrest warrant on the businesswoman would be issued by the court “within the week.”
On Nov. 13, the President issued a broad assurance that persons facing prosecution in the public works corruption scandal would be thrown in jail before Christmas.
On Friday last week, he also ordered the police and interior department to monitor Discaya’s whereabouts, shortly after the Office of the Ombudsman announced the filing of the charges.
In Tuesday’s video, Mr. Marcos again singled out Discaya, saying “we’re expecting that… it won’t be long before she’s arrested.”
Sarah’s husband, Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II, remains in detention at the Senate after being cited in contempt by senators, who accused him of lying and giving inconsistent statements during a blue ribbon committee hearing on the flood control scandal.
Discaya and several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were charged over alleged irregularities in a P96.5-million flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.
According to the charges filed by the Ombudsman at the Regional Trial Court of Digos City, no work had been done on the project despite being declared completed on paper and fully paid for in 2022.
Also in Tuesday’s video, Mr. Marcos said eight DPWH officials from Davao Occidental had sent a letter to the NBI signaling their willingness to surrender.
The Ombudsman recommended no bail for Discaya and the other respondents.
Samaniego earlier confirmed that one of Discaya’s corespondents in the case, Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando, had also surrendered to the Pasig City police station.
Under the Revised Penal Code, voluntary surrender may be considered a mitigating factor in one’s criminal liability if done in good faith.
