Jinggoy bares ‘mock bidding’ of DPWH projects by Discaya firms

Senator Jinggoy Estrada has exposed alleged “mock biddings” of DPWH flood control projects involving nine companies owned by couple Sarah and Pacifico II Discaya.

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe, Sarah admitted that her firms sometimes competed against each other in public biddings, effectively ensuring a Discaya-owned company would always win.

Among the firms linked to Sarah are Alpha and Omega General Contractor, St. Gerrard Construction, St. Timothy Construction, St. Matthew General Contractor, Elite General Contractor, Amethyst Horizon Builders, YPR General Contractor, Great Pacific Builders, and Way Maker One Person Corp.

Based on the citizen portal sumbongsapangulo.ph, the nine companies bagged over 400 government contracts worth about P30 billion from 2022 to present. Estrada warned that such practices undermine transparency and rob taxpayers of honest service.

The hearing also revealed that Sarah owns 28 luxury vehicles worth nearly P200 million, including a P42-million Rolls Royce Cullinan, a P22-million Maybach, and several Bentleys, Range Rovers, and Cadillac SUVs.IMT