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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Discaya confirms competing with her own companies in bidding of gov't contracts

Discaya confirms competing with her own companies in bidding of gov't contracts

Published Sep 1, 2025 04:52 pm

At A Glance

  • Cezarah Discaya admitted during the Senate Blue Ribbon hearing that her nine construction firms sometimes competed against each other in biddings—raising collusion concerns.
Cezarah (Sarah) Discaya said on Monday, Sept. 1, that her nine construction companies sometimes compete against each other in public bidding for government contracts under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Cezarah Discaya attends the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on anomalous flood control projects. (Mark Balmores)
Cezarah Discaya attends the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on anomalous flood control projects. (Mark Balmores)
She said this under questioning from Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, revealed during the ongoing Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation.
Estrada extracted an admission from Sarah, further highlighting allegations of collusion and irregularities in the awarding of DPWH flood control projects.
While initially denying the alleged rigging of project bids, Sarah eventually admitted that some of her companies did participate in the same bidding process.
“Si Alpha and Omega (General Contractor and Development Corp.) at St. Gerrard (Construction and Development Corp.), hindi po sila sumasali sa isang bidding. Pero ‘yung ibang licenses, magkakasama sila minsan,” Discaya said after Estrada threatened to secure records from DPWH to validate the mock biddings.
Aside from Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corp. and St. Timothy Construction Corp.—which are among the top 15 contractors identified by President Marcos as having cornered the most flood control projects—Discaya admitted during the hearing that she is part-owner of other construction firms.
The construction companies are: St. Gerrard Construction and Development Corp., St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp., Elite General Contractor and Development Corp., Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor and Development Corp., YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply Inc., Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc., and Way Maker One Person Corp.
According to the citizen portal www.sumbongsapangulo.ph, which lists all supposedly completed flood control projects in the country, the nine Discaya-owned construction firms were awarded more than 400 government contracts amounting to around ₱30 billion from 2022 up to the present.
“So minsan naglalaban-laban ‘yung siyam?” Estrada pressed, to which Sarah answered in the affirmative.
“That is not a legitimate bidding. Dahil ‘yung siyam na ‘yon na naglalaban-laban sa isang kontrata, iisa lang ang may-ari. So kahit sino doon, kahit sinong manalo sa bidding na ‘yon, ikaw ang panalo. Dahil sa’yo lahat ‘yon,”Estrada said, emphasizing the implication of Sarah’s admission.
Discaya answered in the affirmative.
Estrada stressed that these irregularities compromise transparency and accountability, ultimately robbing taxpayers of honest and efficient public service.
Meanwhile, Discaya admitted during the hearing owning 28 luxury vehicles that her family purchased through luxury car importers Frebel Enterprises and Autoart Luxury Cars, with a combined value close to P200 million. Her family’s car collection includes a Rolls Royce Cullinan worth P42 million, Mercedes Benz Maybach (P22 million), Bentley Bentayga (P20 million), Mercedes Benz-AMG Wagon G63 (20 million), two units of Cadillac Escalade (worth P11 million each), two units of GMC Yukon Denali (P11 million each), Range Rover Autobiography (P16 million), Range Rover Defender (P7 million), Range Rover Evoque (P5 million), and Chevrolet Suburban (P3 million).

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jinggoy estrada flood control flood control probe Senate Blue Ribbon Committee flood control project
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