Palace Speaks on First Lady Liza Marcos Inspection of the Philippine Film Heritage Building
First Lady Liza Marcos was dismayed by the alleged ‘substandard’ work of the Discaya firm on Philippine Film Heritage Building.
Currently, the Marcos Jr. administration is visibly giving a huge attention not only on the flood control projects funded by the government but as well as the other infrastructure projects shouldered by the people’s money. Amid many parts of the country usually experiencing flood, Marcos Jr. previously revealed that over P500 billion already under his term went to flood control projects in the country.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos flagged 15 contractors for getting around P100 billion from the total government flood control project expenses from July 2022 to May 2025. He cited the following contractors:
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
- Sunwest, Inc.
- Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- Wawao Builders
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
The Senate launched an investigation on the flood control issue. During a Senate flood probe, controversial contractor Sarah Discaya admitting to owning 9 construction companies and also affirmed that her firms have bid for the same projects of the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways).
Recently, First Lady Araneta Marcos and Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro inspected the Philippine Film Heritage Building. Based on a report on News 5, they went around to check on the unfinished work of the Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Incorporated which is owned by the Discayas in the said building.
It was the Department of Public Works and Highways – South Manila Engineering District that awarded the contract to the firm owned by the Discayas. The contract cost P143.22 million but it was revised to P107.9 million.
The said building was supposed to be completed on September 4 but many portions of the building remain under construction now. Based on the report, the Palace press official cited that some finishing works do not meet the quality standards.
“Nakita niyo po yung downspout kanina hindi siya normal dahil ‘yung pagtulo ng tubig ulan diretso sa kalsada, lahat ng taong dadaan pwedeng mabasa,” Castro said.
Based on the report, the Malacañang official confirmed that complaints may be filed against the contractor if it would be proven that they did not act on good faith in the deal. According to her, the work of the contractor in the said structure will be investigated.
“Ang isa pang nakikita dito ay malamang na ‘yung ibang kinatawan ng DPWH ay nakikipagsabwatan sa mga contractors,” the Palace official said.
On the reaction of First Lady Araneta Marcos on the work of the Discaya-owned company in the Philippine Film Heritage Building, Atty. Claire Castro claimed that the First Lady is very dismayed.
“Gobyerno na nga ‘yung nagpapagawa nitong construction, aba eh gobyerno pa ‘yung naloloko,” she said based on the report.
As of this writing, Pres. Bongbong Marcos and USec. Castro have yet to talk about the matter but she is sure that the Chief Executive will get angry over what happened in the Philippine Film Heritage Building construction project.
Currently, the Discayas are under great scrutiny amid the issue of anomalous flood control projects in the Philippines and the spotlight they hooked for flaunting their lavish lifestyle. Amid the issue, a chaotic protest transpired outside the residence of the Discaya family in Pasig and Malacañang reacted to it.