Luxury Cars, Flood Funds, Customs Probe: Corruption Allegations Swirl Around Philippine Flood Control Projects

Allegations of corruption surround Curlee and Sarah Discaya, who reportedly amassed a P31.6 billion fortune from 2022 to 2025. The claims center on flood control projects secured by a family-controlled construction company from the DPWH. Calls for a thorough investigation are growing, demanding transparency and accountability in the awarding and execution of public infrastructure projects.

Luxury Cars, Flood Funds, Customs Probe: Corruption Allegations Swirl Around Philippine Flood Control Projects

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | August 27, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – Allegations of corruption surrounding government flood control projects have intensified, prompting the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to launch an investigation into the luxury car collection linked to the Discaya family, a prominent name in the controversy.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno announced the probe following claims that funds earmarked for crucial flood mitigation efforts may have been diverted to acquire high-end vehicles.

The investigation will focus on luxury cars stored in commercial establishments and warehouses, where the BOC has the authority to conduct inspections.

“Now that this information is public, I will look into it immediately,” Nepomuceno said in a radio interview.

“The BOC, through my Letter of Authority, can act swiftly when it comes to commercial establishments or warehouses.”

However, he clarified that inspections of private residences would require a judicial warrant.

“We’ll look into it… We are also monitoring social media for clues beyond just the Discayas. We will trace the origins of these vehicles and take appropriate action.”

The investigation comes on the heels of accusations leveled by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who alleges that two of the top 15 contractor firms awarded the lion’s share of government flood control projects are controlled by the Discaya family, specifically Sarah Discaya, Sotto’s political rival in the upcoming 2025 elections.

Sotto identified Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp. and St. Timothy Construction Corp. as the companies in question, ranking second and third, respectively, among the recipients of the lucrative contracts.

The mayor’s statement followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s release of a list of 15 contractors who collectively received P100 billion – approximately 20% of the total P545 billion allocated for flood mitigation projects under his administration between July 2022 and May 2025.

The BOC’s investigation into the Discayas’ luxury car collection represents a significant step in addressing concerns about potential corruption in the flood control project.

The probe’s findings could have significant implications in the ongoing debate surrounding the allocation and oversight of public funds for crucial infrastructure projects.