MANILA, Philippines– Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Saturday called the arrest of Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya a “good start” in efforts to hold individuals allegedly involved in corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) accountable.
In a Facebook video message, Sotto said investigators linked the Discaya family to several construction firms that allegedly secured major DPWH projects, including companies named after their children, such as St. Gerrard, St. Timothy, St. Matthew, and YPR.
Sotto noted that St. Matthew Corp., acquired in 2022 by the Discayas’ second son, Matthew Carl Discaya, at age 18 for P245 million, received at least P17 billion in DPWH contracts after the acquisition. He added that Way Maker General Contractor, registered in 2021 by the couple’s eldest son, Gerard William Francisco Discaya, at age 18 with P50 million in authorized capital stock, obtained about P3 billion in DPWH projects in 2023 alone.
The mayor said land and other properties appeared under the names of the Discaya children even when some were minors, and he alleged that the parents used these arrangements to continue questionable business practices while placing assets under their children’s identities.
Sotto rejected portrayals of the Discayas as “small fish,” citing Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) findings that reportedly showed more than P180 billion in inflows to bank accounts tied to four of nine companies associated with the family.
The mayor encouraged citizens to monitor the progress of the cases, ask officials questions, and maintain public attention to ensure investigators and prosecutors could pursue potential criminal and administrative liabilities without interruption.
