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The Bureau of Customs generated P38.2 million from the auction of three seized luxury cars tied to the Discaya couple
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Bidding failed for four other luxury vehicles
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Simplex Industrial Corporation bought two units: a 2019 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus for P15.5 million and a 2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG for P15,611,710
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A 2021 Lincoln Navigator L was sold for P7.1 million to Lesentrell Jewelries
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) raised P38,211,710 from the sale of three seized luxury vehicles linked to the Discaya couple during a public auction held on November 20 at South Harbor, Port Area, Manila.
Simplex Industrial Corporation bought two units — the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus for P15.5 million and the 2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG for P15,611, 710.
Lesentrell Jewelries acquired the 2021 Lincoln Navigator L for P7.1 million.
Of the 13 vehicles seized from the Discaya couple, BOC auctioned off seven. Four high-end vehicles—the 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan (floor price: P45,314,391), 2023 Toyota Sequoia (P7,258,800), 2022 Toyota Tundra (P4,994,079), and 2022 Bentley Bentayga (P17,311,121), failed to attract qualified bids.
The cars form part of a larger batch of luxury vehicles seized from the Discayas, less than half of the 28 vehicles Sarah Discaya admitted owning during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing probing alleged corruption in flood control projects.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go inspected the auction proceedings, which form part of BOC efforts to recover revenues from seized assets tied to the Discaya family. A public viewing for the vehicles was held from November 12 to 14.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno underscored that the auction of seized luxury vehicles is less about the revenue it generates and more about the principle of accountability.
“What matters more than the funds we may recover is the symbolism and the value of ensuring that when someone commits wrongdoing, they are held accountable, and that the nation’s resources are returned for the benefit of our people,” Nepomuceno said in a speech during the auction.
Proceeds from the auction will be remitted to the National Treasury. The BOC earlier estimated sales from the Discaya vehicles could generate P100 million to P200 million, which would go into supporting priority government programs.
“What is important here is that we recover what rightfully belongs to the nation, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that such problems do not happen again,” Nepomuceno said.
He added the BOC has already implemented immediate checks and balances to prevent the entry of vehicles without proper tax payments or documentation. “We have put in place mechanisms to stop these practices, as ordered by President Marcos,” he noted, assuring the public that corrective measures are now firmly in place.
The Discayas were barred from participating in the bidding after failing to demonstrate they were buyers in good faith. The BOC said disallowing their participation ensures the auction is not used to retrieve items that were illegally brought into the country.
The bureau earlier said it would file illegal importation charges under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act against the importer of the vehicles. It added that if evidence establishes that the couple conspired with those behind the shipment, they will face similar charges.
