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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC junks Sarah Discaya's petition vs Ombudsman on her graft, malversation charges in P96.5-M 'ghost' flood control project

SC junks Sarah Discaya's petition vs Ombudsman on her graft, malversation charges in P96.5-M 'ghost' flood control project

Published Apr 10, 2026 02:14 pm
The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the petition filed by contractor Sarah C. Discaya who challenged the Office of the Ombudsman’s resolution that found probable cause to file graft and non-bailable malversation of public funds in the “ghost” P96.5 million flood control project in Davao Occidental in 2022.
In a ruling handed down last Wednesday, April 8, the SC said Discaya’s petition had become moot after the Ombudsman filed the cases against her before the Digos City regional trial court (RTC) which had issued an arrest order against her.
The cases were transferred to the Lapu-Lapu City RTC, one of the specialized courts in graft and flood control cases. Discaya is now detained at the Lapu-Lapu City jail.
Named respondents in Discaya’s petition were Ombudsman Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Alley I. Ong and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon
In a press briefer, the SC’s Office of the Spokesperson said that the High Court recognized that while exceptions exist to safeguard constitutional rights, maintain orderly justice, or when charges are baseless or beyond authority, Discaya did not demonstrate any of these exceptions.
The SC pointed out that the determination of probable cause during preliminary investigation is the exclusive function of the public prosecutor and “as a rule, courts do not interfere with this determination.”
It also noted that the Ombudsman’s findings to charge Discaya with graft and malversation of public funds were supported by substantial evidence.
Aside from Discaya, the other accused in the RTC cases were officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Occidental District Engineering Office led by 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.
In filing the cases in court, the Ombudsman said that the accused 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, it said.
It also pointed out that there was no actual construction, yet the accused certified that the project was completed.
The accused DPWH officials in Davao Occidental have been preventively suspended for six months because of their administrative case. The suspension order was served by Secretary Dizon when he conducted his own inspection in Davao Occidental.
In anticipation of an arrest order against her, Discaya voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Dec. 9, 2025.
She was then transferred to the Lapu-Lapu City jail after her arraignment to which she and the other accused pleaded “not guilty.”

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