Discaya trial starts; transfer of case to Lapu-Lapu questioned

Local

THE court hearing for the alleged P96.5-million “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental got going at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27 in Lapu-Lapu City on Monday, Jan. 5, with defense lawyers filing motions to quash the warrants and information against their clients.

Contractor Sarah Discaya, who previously ran for Pasig City mayor, joined the hearing via videoconference from the Lapu-Lapu City jail, along with company president Maria Roma Rimando and eight officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Davao Occidental District Engineering Office.

The accused DPWH officials are Rodrigo Larete, Michael Awa, Joel Lumogdang, Harold John Villaver, Jafael Faunillian, Josephine Valdez, Ranulfo Flores, and Czar Ryan Ubungen.

The defense argued that Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27 in Lapu-Lapu lacks jurisdiction. They said the Supreme Court’s Office of the Court Administrator Circular No. 328-2025, which allows certain cases to transfer to courts outside the judicial region of the accused, does not apply because none of the accused hold positions with Salary Grade 27 or higher.

Lawyer Joseph Randi Torregosa, representing Larete, also noted that since the alleged malversation occurred in Davao Occidental, the case should remain with RTC Branch 20 in Malita.

Prosecutor Marie Josephine De Vera of the Office of the Ombudsman Mindanao also requested that the case be returned to Malita.

Presiding Judge Nelson Leyco has yet to rule on the motions. The arraignment for all the accused is scheduled for January 13.

Discaya and the others face charges of malversation of public funds over the unimplemented flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

The Office of the Ombudsman said its investigation, which included document reviews, site inspections, and sworn statements from community witnesses, established probable cause.

Malversation of public funds is a non-bailable offense.

The accused were transferred to Cebu after the Supreme Court designated RTC Branch 27 as the special anti-graft court for the case.

Discaya was brought to Lapu-Lapu City under tight security on Dec. 19, 2025, following her initial detention at the NBI central office in Muntinlupa City.

Discaya owns St. Timothy Construction, the firm linked to the Jose Abad Santos flood control project, which was reportedly funded with P96.5 million in public funds but allegedly never implemented.(MyTVCebu)