Sarah Discaya’s Christmas Without Family Visits
SARAH DISCAYA – Amid ongoing legal controversies, Sarah Discaya’s Christmas passed quietly inside a jail cell, raising questions and public curiosity.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) confirmed that controversial contractor Sarah Discaya did not have any face-to-face family visits during the Christmas holidays while she was detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail in Mactan, Cebu.
BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera explained that Discaya’s visitation arrangements were restricted to online platforms only, in accordance with existing jail policies. He noted that the majority of Discaya’s virtual meetings were with her legal counsel rather than members of her family.
“So far, there have been no personal visits because visitation is strictly through online platforms. Most of her visits have been from her lawyer, and her food is sent from outside and inspected before being allowed inside,” Bustinera said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
Discaya was transferred to the Lapu-Lapu City Jail on December 19 along with eight former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Occidental. Their transfer came after warrants of arrest were issued against them in relation to alleged irregularities involving flood control projects. Discaya is currently being held at the female dormitory area of the detention facility.
Before this, Discaya submitted an urgent motion to the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court requesting that she remain under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). This move was reportedly linked to accusations that her companies were involved in anomalous flood control projects, which have drawn significant public attention.
In response to the petition, the BJMP stated that it had already filed its official comment with the court within the prescribed timeframe.
“We have already submitted our comment since we were given no more than ten days. With the upcoming holidays, our warden sent it ahead of time. Our position is that the BJMP facility is fully prepared, regardless of whether the detainee is a high-profile individual,” Bustinera explained.
The BJMP emphasized that Discaya is being handled according to the same standard procedures followed for all detainees. Jail authorities reiterated that maintaining security, safety, and strict adherence to established protocols remains their priority, regardless of a detainee’s status or public profile.
As the case moves forward, Discaya remains in custody at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail, spending the Christmas season without any in-person family visits while awaiting further developments in her legal proceedings.
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