Photo credit: Senate PH

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. confirmed Thursday that a court has issued arrest warrants against Sarah Discaya and nine others over a P96.5 million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental.

In a video message, Marcos said the accused are facing graft and malversation charges—non-bailable offenses that prevent them from posting bail while awaiting trial.

“Ang mga akusado ay nahaharap sa kasong graft at malversation, ito pong mga kasong ito hindi po bailable ito, hindi pwedeng bayaran ang kanyang…para sila’y malalabas sa kulungan. Kabilang na po rito si Sarah Discaya na sa kasalukuyan ay nasa kustodiya ng NBI,” he said.

The President also noted that eight officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have expressed their willingness to surrender.

“Ito po ay patuloy naming gagawin at simula lang po ito at patuloy naming iimbestigahan at kakasuhan lahat po ng may kinalaman sa mga iskandalo na nakikita natin sa mga flood control project,” Marcos added.

The case involves an alleged P96.5 million revetment project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, which was funded but never implemented. The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and malversation charges against Discaya, contractor Maria Roma Angeline Rimando of St. Timothy Construction, and eight DPWH-Davao Occidental officials.

Discaya voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last week, citing concerns for her safety, even before a formal arrest warrant was issued.

The Ombudsman initially filed the criminal complaints at the Digos Regional Trial Court on December 5, 2025. Reports indicate the case has since been transferred to the Lapu-Lapu City RTC, where the arrest warrants will be enforced.

This development highlights the Marcos administration’s push to hold government contractors and officials accountable for anomalies in public infrastructure projects, with continued investigation and prosecution promised.