These include the controversial luxury cars.
On Thursday, November 20, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) held the sealed-bidding public auction of motor vehicles linked to the Discaya family in Manila.
Citing irregularities in their importation and documentation, the BOC previously seized luxury vehicles owned by couple Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, one of the top contractors implicated in the flood control projects corruption.
Among the seized vehicles up for auction were a Toyota Tundra (2022), Toyota Sequoia (2023), Bentley Bentayga (2022), Rolls-Royce Cullinan (2023), Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus (2019), Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG (2022), and Lincoln Navigator L (2021).
Out of these seven vehicles put up for auction, three were successfully awarded to the winning bidder.
On the first day, the auction generated PHP38,211,710, with the BOC noting that all proceeds will be remitted directly to the Bureau of the Treasury—a move that was reaffirmed by Malacañang.
“Ayon sa BOC, sa pangunguna ni Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, makakaasa ang taumbayan na lahat ng proceeds mula sa auction ay agad na iri-remit sa national treasury. Ibig sabihin, buong-buo na maibabalik ang pondo sa kaban ng bayan,” said Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro.
In total, 13 vehicles linked to the Discaya family were in possession of the bureau due to reported customs violations. Of these, 7 units were voluntarily forfeited and subsequently included in the public auction, while forfeiture proceedings for the remaining 6 vehicles are still underway.
Thursday’s auction followed the week-long public viewing at the BOC Central Office. Moreover, to ensure transparency and public accountability, the entire process was livestreamed through the BOC’s official Facebook page.
The Auction and Cargo Disposal Division (ACDD) of the Port of Manila (POM) facilitated the activity in accordance with the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and in relation to Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 03-2020 and other applicable regulations.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno underscored the significance of the event in affirming the government’s commitment to accountability.
“Mas importante dito sa pera o pondo na maari nating makukuha ay ang simbolismo o pagpapahalaga natin na pag ikaw ay gumawa ng mali ikaw ay mananagot, at ang pera ng bansa ay dapat pakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan.”
He also added that the administration is determined to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing that this auction is only the first step toward the full recovery and disposition of remaining assets linked to the case.
For his part, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon reiterated that this marks the beginning of restitution to the public in the Discaya case and noted that these are the fitst funds to be recovered by the government.
“Kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo natin na hindi lang dapat makulong ang mga gumawa ng mali, kailangan managot sa pagnanakaw sa pera nating lahat, pero kailangan din maibalik yung pera ng mga kababayan, and this is the beginning. At nagpapasalamat tayo kay Commissioner Ariel kasi simula na ito,” Dizon said.
Chairman Andres B. Reyes Jr. of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure noted that the auction represents more than the sale of luxury vehicles.
“Recovering what is due to the nation is a legal responsibility and a public service to every Filipino who relies on honest institutions and fair systems,” the retired Supreme Court justice said.
Meanwhile, to facilitate the smooth transfer of ownership for winning bidders, Assistant Secretary Lacanilao assured full cooperation from the LTO
“To all successful bidders, please be assured that the LTO will provide full assistance in the processing and transfer of ownership of the vehicles you will acquire today. We will work closely with the BOC to ensure all necessary steps are completed in full compliance with the law.”
For vehicles that did not receive successful bids, the BOC will reconvene to recompute their floor prices for the next round of bidding.
The Customs bureau said that it plans to publish the revised prices by next week, providing interested bidders with another opportunity to participate while maintaining full transparency.
Back to the Palace, Usec. Claire Castro also shared that the disposition of these cars is only the initial step in recovering stolen government funds, with the agency also looking at 14 construction companies.