More developments have unfolded today.
Earlier this morning, September 4, rallyists went in front of the compound of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor & Development Corp. compound, the firm owned by the couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya, in Pasig City.
The protestors, which also included survivors of disasters, were there to demand accountability on the flood control projects—where St. Gerrard, among other Discaya-owned firms, are being implicated and subjected to scrutiny after being listed as one of the Top 15 firms that got the deals to construct the structures.
These groups rattled the gate before starting to throw mud and spray painting the words “magnanakaw,” “corrupt,” and “ikulong” on the gate and walls of the compound.
“Gusto nating ipakita doon ‘yung mismong galit natin sa kanila. Na habang tayo ay nilulubog sa baha at putik, sila lumulubog naman sa pera na ninakaw nila sa mamamayan,” said Jonila Castro of the People Surge Alliance.
PCol. Hendrix Mangaldan, chief of Pasig Police, said that the rallyists did not secure permit to do their demonstration, but the authorities implemented “maximum tolerance.”
He also noted that it will be up to the company if they would like to seek legal recourse in light of the situation.
Atty. Cornelio Samaniego III, legal counsel of the Discaya family, had already confirmed their plan to file complaint against those involved in the rally and they are currently reviewing CCTV footages to identify the persons.
He also lamented, “Nagtataka ako bakit parating Discaya? Sumusunod po tayo sa batas, tumatalima po kami sa kung anong patawag ng Senado. Bakit po kami laging ginaganito?“
PALACE REACTS TO RALLY
During the Palace Press Briefing at noontime, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro appealed for calm.
“Hindi po nanaisin ng Pangulo na ganito ang mangyari. Sabi nga po ng Pangulo, sinusunod po natin ang due process,” she said.
She also conveyed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s intention when he ordered the investigation of the alleged irregularities in flood control projects was to bring clarity and accountability and not chaos.
“Sa mga kapwa natin Pilipino, ang pag-iimbestigang ginagawa po ng Pangulo, ang pag-uutos na imbestigahan lahat, ay para din po sa taong bayan,” Castro said.
The official warned against the spread of false information that could stir public anger and disrupt peace, and told: “Hindi po nais na magkaroon ng kaguluhan dahil lamang sa may mga maling information. Dahil ito daw ay ginagamit para mas paalabin ang galit ng mga Pilipino. Hindi po ‘yun ang nais ng Pangulo.”
Malacañang also assured that concerned agencies and law enforcement units have been instructed to maintain peace and order.
“So, inuutos naman din po ng Pangulo sa mga concerned government agencies natin, sa mga law enforcement natin, na huwag niyo pong hayaan na mangyari po ito,” Castro furthered.
LUXURY CARS NOW IN CUSTOMS’ CUSTODY
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) confirmed that 28 luxury vehicles linked to the Discaya family are now under its custody.
It said that the family surrendered 16 additional vehicles, on top of the 12 vehicles earlier secured through a court-ordered search at the same compound last Tuesday at the in Pasig City.
“The 16 vehicles are now undergoing processing by the BOC for sealing and documentation and will be guarded by Customs personnel, pending verification of importation records and assessment of duties and taxes. With the help of the Land Transportation Office, the BOC will continue its thorough investigation,” the statement read.
In connection with that, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has also revealed that upon its verification and validation, 8 out of the 12 luxury cars have no irregularities.
“Wala tayong nakita mga irregularities pa sa ngayon but ongoing ‘yung investigation ng BOC at kung ano pa ‘yung makita natin maaaring maitulong sa kanila at maaaring maibigay na updates sa ating mga kababayan ay ibibigay kaagad ng HPG,” said HPG spokesperson PLt. Nadame Malang.
These events come days after Sarah Discaya made her appearance before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday, September 1.
During which, she admitted to owning 28 cars, but denied that her company is responsible for the “ghost” or missing flood control projects.