Malacañang welcomed the voluntary surrender of Sara Discaya, one of the respondents in the P100-million Kulaman flood-control scandal, saying her decision could have meaningful legal consequences in a case where malversation is a non-bailable offense.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Claire Castro said this after Discaya surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ahead of the issuance of an arrest warrant against her for malversation through falsification and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

In an interview with Super Radyo DZBB on Thursday, Dec. 11, Castro said Discaya’s move was a good development, noting that under Philippine law, early cooperation is a mitigating circumstance once penalties are imposed.

“Kapag po nagkaroon ng voluntary surrender wala pa po ‘yung warrant of arrest… mako-consider po siya na factor para bumaba o mabawasan ‘yung years of imprisonment (When there is voluntary surrender even before an arrest warrant is issued… it can be considered a factor to reduce years of imprisonment),” she said.

“Yung admission ng guilt na pagka doon pa lang sa arraignment sinabi ng guilty, nabababa po ang imprisonment (If the accused admits guilt as early as the arraignment, the penalty can be reduced),” she explained.

Castro also said Discaya’s surrender shows respect for the legal process.

“Magandang gesture ‘yan kasi hindi na nila pinahirapan ‘yung law enforcement agencies natin (It’s a good gesture because they no longer made things difficult for our law enforcement agencies),” she said.

The Palace Press Officer indirectly criticized those encouraging individuals to evade accountability, saying such guidance goes against the rule of law.

“Maganda pong suhestyon ‘yan kesa po sa mga nag-a-advise na ‘wag sumuko (Her choice is better than those advising people not to surrender),” Castro said.

“Meron po tayong naririnig na ganyan, eh; ‘never surrender’ (We have heard voices saying that—‘never surrender’),” she added, noting that surrendering early is always the sound legal path.

Discaya is among the respondents linked to the Kulaman flood-control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, which the Ombudsman found to be entirely non-existent despite documents certifying its completion.

Investigators said respondents approved and processed paperwork enabling the release of almost P100 million for a project that was never started.

The Ombudsman recommended filing charges for malversation through falsification and violation of RA 3019 Section 3(e) — both serious offenses, with malversation classified as non-bailable when involving large sums.

President Marcos earlier directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to secure the whereabouts of Discaya and other respondents to ensure swift arrests once warrants are issued.

Castro said the administration is awaiting further developments after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla hinted at additional high-profile cases connected to the broader flood-control anomaly.

“Ayon po mismo kay Ombudsman Remulla, meron pa pong aabangan (According to Ombudsman Remulla himself, there is more to watch out for),” she said, declining to speculate on identities.