NBI: 8 DPWH execs in custody before Discaya yielded
INQUIRER.net file photo
Eight officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation even before public works contractor Sarah Discaya did in connection with charges stemming from a P96.5-million “ghost” infrastructure project in Davao Occidental.
NBI Director Angelito Magno confirmed to the Inquirer that the DPWH officials turned themselves in at their regional office in Davao City on Sunday, two days before Discaya showed up at the NBI office in Pasay City in anticipation of the arrest warrant issued against her and the others.
They were charged by the Ombudsman with graft and malversation at the Digos City Regional Trial Court over the flood control project in Jose Abad Santos town in Davao Occidental, which was declared completed on paper and paid for in 2022, although no work had been done on it.
No bail
The project, awarded to St. Timothy Construction Corp., involves the construction of a retaining wall at Barangay Culaman.
“All eight officials executed letters of voluntary surrender and placed themselves under NBI custody, affirming their intent to face the legal process,” Magno said in a separate statement.
They were district engineer Rodrigo Larete; assistant district engineer Michael Awa; construction officer in charge Joel Lumogdang; project engineer Harold John Villaver; quality assurance chief Rafael Faunillan; planning and design chief Josephine Valdez; maintenance chief Ranulfo Flores; and finance chief Czar Ryan Ubungen, all from DPWH in Davao Occidental.
No warrant yet
Discaya’s niece and correspondent, Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando, identified as the president of St. Timothy, had surrendered to the Pasig City police.
The Ombudsman recommended no bail for Discaya and the other respondents.
Meanwhile, Discaya will remain in NBI custody “unless she wants to leave,” Magno said, noting that the local court has yet to issue a warrant for her arrest.
“The NBI will continue to enforce the law fairly, firmly, and without favor. We observe due process—but we will not allow anyone to run from it,” he said.
