Update on Auction of Discaya Luxury Cars amid the Flood Control Mess in PH
DISCAYA LUXURY CARS – Instead of 13 vehicles, the Bureau of Customs will just auction 7 of them starting next month.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, the Office of the Ombudsman recently confirmed that they are ready to move forward with the cases against contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya. The couple has stopped cooperating with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI’s flood control probe.
According to the ICI, the Discaya withdrew their cooperation on the flood control probe after ICI member Rogelio Singson claimed during an interview that none has yet to qualify for the state witness admission. The couple was the first to do name-dropping over the alleged multi-billion flood control scam.
Through a joint statement read during a Senate flood probe, the Discayas accused several congressmen including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. The presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman denied the allegation.
Aside from Romualdez, the Discayas also accused resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, Quezon City Congressman Arjo Atayde, Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo, and Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects.
Amid the flood control issue in the Philippines that brought thousands of Filipinos to protest against corruption, the contractor’s licenses of all the construction companies owned by Curlee and Sarah Discaya were revoked. The Bureau of Customs also seized 13 of the Discaya luxury cars.
During a Senate flood probe, Sarah Discaya admitted to owning 28 luxury cars. Here are some of the luxury vehicles owned by the controversial contractors:
- Two (2) Cadillac Escalades
- Lincoln Navigator
- Azure Blue Bentayga of Bentley
- An Arctic Gray Porsche Cayenne
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Dodge RAM
- An Isuzu Alterra
- Volvo XC90
- Maserati Levante in Grigio Maratea color
- Lexus LM in Graphite Black Glass Flake color
- Ford Bronco Sport
- Two (2) Massimo T-Boss 550 UTVs
- Rolls-Royce Cullinan
- Their Jaguar F-PACE
- BMW X5
Amid the investigation, the Bureau of Customs seized 13 of the Discaya luxury cars. A warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued over the following vehicles:
- Toyota Tundra
- Toyota Sequoia
- Mercedes-Benz G 500
- Lincoln Navigator 2021
- Bentley Bentayga
- Lincoln Navigator 2024
- Rolls-Royce Cullinan
- Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 AMG SUV
- GMC Yukon Denali
- Cadillac Escalade 2021
- Maserati Levante Modena
- GMC Yukon XL Denali
- Cadillac Escalade ESV
Previously, it was reported that the 13 luxury cars of the Discaya couple will be auctioned as per the Bureau of Customs. Recently, the bureau gave an update on the auction that is set to start in November.
Based on a report on Inquirer, instead of 13 Discaya luxury cars, Customs said only 7 will be auctioned starting next month. According to Customs spokesperson Chris Bendijo, Curlee and Sarah Discaya have filed a voluntary forfeiture of their luxury cars and will no longer contest the seizure of 7 out of the 13 vehicles under the custody of the BOC.
“That means they are waiving their entire ownership of the vehicles, but they are reserving their right to go after the importers and the car dealers,” Bendijo said.
Based on the report, auction of the Discaya luxury cars will start on November 15 as originally set. The contractors have submitted a “position paper” to challenge the seizure of the other 6 vehicles with questionable payment records.
Previously, it was reported that the Discaya couple is ready to settle the taxes on their luxury cars.