Following the arrest of contractor Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya in connection with the alleged P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental, Mayor Vico Sotto reminded the public not to fall for propaganda portraying the Discaya couple as merely “small fish” or just “victims.”

Discaya ran against Sotto in the Pasig City mayoral race in May 2025, where Sotto won by a landslide and secured his third term.

Related story: https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/20/sarah-discaya-detained-in-lapu-lapu-city

On Saturday, Dec. 20, Mayor Vico Sotto shared his thoughts on Discaya’s arrest, saying that while it is a good start, more people need to be held accountable.

Sotto noted that it is still a good start, as six months ago, the public was largely unaware of the scale of corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Una, sana mas marami pa ang mahuli at mapanagot (First, I hope more people will be caught and held accountable). Our slow justice system is frustrating. But let’s also put it into perspective: just six months ago, we didn’t even know the scale of corruption in the DPWH. 6 months ago, the Discayas, along with many others, thought that they would be untouchable forever,” he said.

“Momentum seems to be in the right direction now,” he added.

He also said not to fall for the couple's propaganda that they are just victims, citing the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reports that bank accounts related to just four of the couple's nine companies had inflows of over P180 billion, and there are other companies, dummies, and cash not yet included in the number.

“Kung susuriin natin ng mabuti, hindi lang sila basta kontraktor, sila ay naging tagapag pasimuno (If we look at it closely, they are not just ordinary contractors, but they have become instigators),” Sotto said.

The mayor also said that the couple have been around for several administrations and Congress leaderships.

“A number of people have told me that they always visit congressmen and even host meetings with their staff, to present available DPWH funds. The Mistermind (Sotto refers to Curlee Discaya) would always boast about how big they can give the congressmen in advances/percentages/SOP,” he explained.

He also said that the couple should consider their children first before involving them in their actions, noting that some of their companies were named after their children. This followed an interview with Sarah, in which she emotionally shared her fears of being separated from her children if she were imprisoned.

“Sana naisip niyo ‘yan bago niyo sila dinamay sa mga kalokohan niyo (Hopefully you thought of that before involving them in your misdeeds),” Sotto said.

The mayor noted that the Discayas named their companies after their children: St. Gerrard, St. Timothy, St. Matthew, and YPR.

“Matthew Carl 'purchased' St. Matthew Corporation at 18 years old in 2022 for P245 million. Sana all may P245M nung 18 years old (I wish everyone had P245 million at 18 years old). It has had at least P17B in DPWH contracts,” he said.

“Gerrard William Francisco, at 18 years old in 2021, registered a ‘one-person corporation,’ Way Maker General Contractor, with P50M authorized capital stock and P12M in paid-up capital. In 2023 alone, it had approximately P3B in infra projects. Even with some pieces of property, one land title even says "(17 years old)" after the listed owner’s name,” Sotto continued.

“Mistermind & Mrs. Discaya, hindi lang kayo nagnakaw… tinulungan at tinuruan ninyo ang mga anak ninyong magnakaw (Mistermind and Mrs. Discaya, you did not just steal… you also helped and taught your children to steal),” the mayor continued.

He said that the best thing the Discayas can do now is to reflect, develop a conscience, and show remorse. However, he noted that it does not appear the couple is sorry at all, saying that their statements have been inconsistent.

“They continue to lie. Their stories keep changing. When everything was good, they said, ‘We got rich with DPWH.’ Then in the Senate it became, ‘We earn very little with DPWH; sometimes we even lose money’...good thing they already flaunted their ill-gotten wealth,” he explained.

“First, Curlee mentioned Speaker Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co; now the Discaya camp insists that they know nothing about them,” Sotto continued.

He also said that the Discayas have threatened their former employees who may testify against them and have attempted to solicit cash from lawmakers in exchange for exclusion from alleged ledgers used for blackmail.

“Several people have told me that they continue to threaten their former employees who may testify against them. They continue to do evil. Two congressmen have told me that they are asking for money (cash) in exchange for not being included in the list or 'ledger' (blackmail),” he explained.

Sotto urged the public to remain vigilant and continue pressing for accountability as investigations move forward.