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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC orders transfer of non-bailable case vs Sarah Discaya, other accused from Davao Occidental to Lapu-Lapu City RTC

SC orders transfer of non-bailable case vs Sarah Discaya, other accused from Davao Occidental to Lapu-Lapu City RTC

Published Dec 17, 2025 01:54 pm
The malversation of public funds, a non-bailable offense, and graft charges filed against contractor Cesarah 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 have been transferred to Lapu-Lapu City.
Supreme Court (SC) Spokesperson lawyer Camille Sue Mae L. Ting said on Wednesday, Dec. 17, the transfer was “in accordance with the SC’s guidelines directing that corruption-related cases arising from infrastructure projects be forwarded to the nearest designated anti-graft court of the nearest judicial region.”
The malversation and graft cases against Discaya and her co-accused were filed by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) before the Davao Occidental regional trial court (RTC).
Earlier, the SC had designated 26 RTCs nationwide as special trial courts to handle graft cases and those involving the flood control projects of the government.
The designation of special courts was aimed at expediting the trial and resolution of the cases.
Aside from Discaya, also charged were District Engineer Rodrigo C. Larete, Assistant District Engineer Michael P. Awa, and several section chiefs, project engineers, and inspectors.
Also charged was Ma. Roma Angelin Rimando of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, a firm affiliated with Discaya.
They were 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 on malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.
Those charged reportedly 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 and there was no actual construction but the accused certified that the project was completed.
The eight DPWH officials involved have been preventively suspended for six months because of their administrative cases. The suspension order had been served by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon when he conducted his own inspection in Davao Occidental.
In anticipation of an arrest order from the RTC, Discaya voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) where she is now held in custody.
However, the NBI said that Discaya can leave anytime since no arrest order has been issued against her.
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