- The Bureau of Customs confirmed that 28 luxury vehicles owned by the controversial Discaya couple are now under its custody
- The luxury cars were secured through a court-ordered search at the Discaya’s compound in Pasig City
- The vehicles are undergoing processing by the BOC for sealing and documentation and will be guarded by Customs personnel
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confirmed that 28 luxury vehicles owned by the controversial Discaya couple are now under its custody.
Yesterday, Sept. 4, the Discaya couple – implicated in the multi-billion peso flood control project scandal – surrendered 16 additional vehicles. This was on top of the 12 luxury cars earlier secured through a court-ordered search at the Discaya’s St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor & Development Corp. compound in Pasig City, the BOC said in a statement.
The vehicles are 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 said it will continue its investigation.
The BOC said it was committed to pursue the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to combat smuggling, protect government revenues, and ensure accountability through lawful customs processes.
The 16 luxury vehicles are as follows: Mercedes Benz GLE, Land Rover Range Rover LWB, Land Rover Defender, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Ford Bronco, Mercedes Benz GLS 350, BMW X5 30D, Jaguar F-Pace 2.0D, Porsche Cayenne V6, Volvo XC90, Mercedes Benz Avant, LAND Rover Range Rover Evo-F, Mercedes Benz Sprinter, ATV Quicksand, Yukon Denali, ATV Gray.
In a related development, newly-appointed Public Works secretary Vince Dizon blacklisted the nine companies that Sarah Discaya admitted owning during this week’s Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on the flood control scandal.
Discaya ran but lost for mayor of Pasig City in the mid-term elections earlier this year.
Meanwhile at a September 4 press briefing, Philippine Bational Police-Highway Patrol Group spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malamang said they had already handed over records indicating vehicle details.
“The HPG is open to whatever orders the BOC may give us, provided these are under the laws we are mandated to enforce—and your HPG will truly carry them out,” he added.
