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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sarah Discaya, 8 DPWH officials in Davao Occidental to be charged before RTC with non-bailable malversation, graft cases

Sarah Discaya, 8 DPWH officials in Davao Occidental to be charged before RTC with non-bailable malversation, graft cases

Published Dec 5, 2025 02:10 pm
The Office of the Ombudsman is set to file non-bailable malversation charges and graft against contractor Cesara Rowena "Sarah" Discaya and eight officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in its Davao Occidental District Engineering Office in the P96.5 million “ghost” infrastructure project in 2022.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano on Friday, Dec. 5, said the charges will be filed before the Digos City regional trial court (RTC).
Clavano said that in the malversation charges, once the RTC issues a warrant of arrest those accused will be detained pending trial.
The filing of the cases in court will be done after thorough investigation, review of voluminous documents, conduct of field verification, and evaluation of sworn statements from community witnesses, he said.
To be charged are District Engineer Rodrigo C. Larete, Assistant District Engineer Michael P. Awa, and several section chiefs, project engineers, and inspectors.
Aside from Sarah Discaya, also to be charged is Ma. Roma Angelin Rimando of St. Timothy Construction Corporation.
Clavano said they will be charged with violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Article 217 in relation to Article 171 and 172 of the Revised Penal Code or Malversation of Public Funds through Falsification of Public Documents.
Clavano said: "As in the first case, the Office of the Ombudsman assures the Filipino people that we will pursue this matter firmly, independently, and without fear or favor. Public funds intended for community protection cannot be converted into private gain and greed. Every person who participated in this scheme will be held accountable."
The first case referred to by Clavano involved the graft and malversation cases filed before the Sandiganbayan against resigned congressman Zaldy Co and 15 other accused in the P2895 million anomalous project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
In the Davao Occidental cases, Clavano said that the respondents conspired to facilitate the release of P96.5 million for the supposed construction of a revetment project in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.
Based on official inspection and witness accounts, the project was never implemented, he said.
He pointed out that there was no actual construction, yet respondents certified that the project was completed.
The eight DPWH officials involved have been preventively suspended for six months because of their administrative case.
Clavano said the suspension order was already served by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon when he conducted his own inspection in Davao Occidental.
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