MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signaled the government’s most aggressive move yet against the alleged “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental, announcing that arrests of key players — including contractor Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya — are expected within days.
Marcos said law enforcement agencies are now preparing to enforce an arrest warrant for Discaya, who is accused of participating in irregular transactions surrounding the controversial Jose Abad Santos flood control project.
“Inaasahan na din nating lalabas ang warrant of arrest ni Sarah Discaya itong linggong ito at hindi na rin magtatagal ang pag-aresto sa kanya,” the President said in a video message released Monday.
The President also disclosed that several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel tagged in the case are preparing to surrender to the National Bureau of Investigation as soon as the warrants come out. He declined to name the eight officials reportedly planning to turn themselves in.
Despite withholding identities, Marcos stressed the administration’s determination to push the accountability drive to its conclusion.
“Magpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon. Magpapatuloy ang pagpapanagot. At sisiguraduhin ng pamahalaan na ang pera ng bayan ay maibabalik sa taumbayan,” he said.
The Philippine National Police has already deployed tracker and intelligence units to locate Discaya and other individuals linked to the alleged ghost infrastructure scheme.
On December 5, Marcos earlier revealed that the Office of the Ombudsman had recommended filing charges — including malversation through falsification and violations of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act — against Discaya and several associates allegedly involved in the fraudulent project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental./PN
