The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) revoked the licenses of nine construction firms owned or controlled by Sarah and Curlee Discaya, following their admission under oath during a Senate committee hearing that they had participated in bidding for the same projects.
PCAB issued the revocation order through Board Resolution No. 075 dated Sept. 1 but released it only yesterday, Sept. 4.
Additionally, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said eight of the 12 luxury cars found at the Discaya compound in Pasig City appeared to have incomplete documents, based on initial findings.
BOC also noted it would look into reports that other contractors in flood-control projects are owners of private jets and helicopters.
The Discaya-owned companies whose licenses have been canceled are:
St. Gerrard Construction Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
• Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
• St. Timothy Construction Corp.
• Amethyst Horizon Builders and Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
• St. Matthew General Contractor & Development Corp.
• Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc.
• YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply Inc.
• Way Maker OPC
• Elite General Contractor and Development Corp.
Alpha & Omega and St. Timothy are among the 15 contractors that bagged most of the flood-control projects between 2022 and 2025, as revealed by President Marcos Jr.
PCAB issued a board resolution following Sarah Discaya’s testimony under the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, wherein she discussed the anomalous flood-control projects.
In her testimony, she admitted ownership of the nine companies that, at times, competed against one another for the same government project.
“Such admission establishes a scheme of joint or multiple bidding participation designed to influence the outcome of public bidding, manipulate results, and corner public projects, thereby undermining transparency, fairness, and competition in violation of procurement laws and licensing requirements,” the PCAB said.
“After thorough evaluation of the statements made by Ms. Discaya, the PCAB Board concludes that the continued accreditation of these corporations is inimical to public interest, industry integrity, and government procurement transparency,” it added.
The firms will be issued notices of revocation and removed from PCAB’s registry of duly licensed contractors.
Under the Contractors’ License Law, “no contractor can do business without a license from the PCAB, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.”
PCAB said it is providing copies of the resolution to the Department of Public Works and Highways, Securities and Exchange Commission, Government Procurement Policy Board, local government units, and all concerned government agencies.
In addition, the matter will be endorsed to the National Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice to determine possible criminal liability.
Discaya’s spokesman and lawyer, Cornelio Samaniego III, said they have nothing to hide and will cooperate in any probe.
Regarding the immigration lookout bulletin on the Discayas, Samaniego stated that they respect the government’s directive, making it clear that they have no intention of leaving the country.
He also dismissed the spread of photos on social media showing the Discayas together with former DPWH Chief Manuel Bonoan and other officials.
“Even me, as a practicing lawyer, when I see a politician, I ask them for a selfie,” he said.
Amid the ongoing investigation of allegations of irregularities—including the sale of licenses—PCAB, along with the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, has been placed under the direct supervision of Trade Secretary Cristina Roque.
“Placing them under my direct supervision will ensure that order, transparency, and accountability is restored within these agencies,” Roque said.
The move is also aimed at addressing mismanagement at the two agencies.
“Full transparency and cooperation are mandatory, and those who breach the trust and mandate entrusted to us will be held accountable,” Roque said.
PCAB issued the revocation order through Board Resolution No. 075 dated Sept. 1 but released it only yesterday, Sept. 4.
Additionally, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said eight of the 12 luxury cars found at the Discaya compound in Pasig City appeared to have incomplete documents, based on initial findings.
BOC also noted it would look into reports that other contractors in flood-control projects are owners of private jets and helicopters.
The Discaya-owned companies whose licenses have been canceled are:
St. Gerrard Construction Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
• Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
• St. Timothy Construction Corp.
• Amethyst Horizon Builders and Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
• St. Matthew General Contractor & Development Corp.
• Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc.
• YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply Inc.
• Way Maker OPC
• Elite General Contractor and Development Corp.
Alpha & Omega and St. Timothy are among the 15 contractors that bagged most of the flood-control projects between 2022 and 2025, as revealed by President Marcos Jr.
PCAB issued a board resolution following Sarah Discaya’s testimony under the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, wherein she discussed the anomalous flood-control projects.
In her testimony, she admitted ownership of the nine companies that, at times, competed against one another for the same government project.
“Such admission establishes a scheme of joint or multiple bidding participation designed to influence the outcome of public bidding, manipulate results, and corner public projects, thereby undermining transparency, fairness, and competition in violation of procurement laws and licensing requirements,” the PCAB said.
“After thorough evaluation of the statements made by Ms. Discaya, the PCAB Board concludes that the continued accreditation of these corporations is inimical to public interest, industry integrity, and government procurement transparency,” it added.
The firms will be issued notices of revocation and removed from PCAB’s registry of duly licensed contractors.
Under the Contractors’ License Law, “no contractor can do business without a license from the PCAB, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.”
PCAB said it is providing copies of the resolution to the Department of Public Works and Highways, Securities and Exchange Commission, Government Procurement Policy Board, local government units, and all concerned government agencies.
In addition, the matter will be endorsed to the National Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice to determine possible criminal liability.
Discaya’s spokesman and lawyer, Cornelio Samaniego III, said they have nothing to hide and will cooperate in any probe.
Regarding the immigration lookout bulletin on the Discayas, Samaniego stated that they respect the government’s directive, making it clear that they have no intention of leaving the country.
He also dismissed the spread of photos on social media showing the Discayas together with former DPWH Chief Manuel Bonoan and other officials.
“Even me, as a practicing lawyer, when I see a politician, I ask them for a selfie,” he said.
Amid the ongoing investigation of allegations of irregularities—including the sale of licenses—PCAB, along with the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, has been placed under the direct supervision of Trade Secretary Cristina Roque.
“Placing them under my direct supervision will ensure that order, transparency, and accountability is restored within these agencies,” Roque said.
The move is also aimed at addressing mismanagement at the two agencies.
“Full transparency and cooperation are mandatory, and those who breach the trust and mandate entrusted to us will be held accountable,” Roque said.
J
Written by Jasmine Danica Batoctoy, Insight PH
Jasmine Danica Batoctoy, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
