Discaya Family’s 12 Luxury Cars Under Scrutiny
MANILA, Philippines — The legal counsel for contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya firmly stated on Wednesday that the Discaya family’s 12 luxury cars were all locally purchased and properly registered. This declaration comes amid ongoing investigations into the family’s assets, which have drawn public attention due to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Lawyer Cornelio Samaniego III addressed the issue following a Bureau of Customs (BOC) operation that secured the 12 luxury vehicles from the Discayas’ properties in Pasig City. The search was conducted under a Manila court-issued warrant and focused on the collection of high-end cars linked to the family.
Legal Counsel Asserts All Vehicles Are Legitimately Registered
During a press briefing, Samaniego emphasized that none of the Discayas’ luxury cars were imported. “Everything is locally purchased. Nothing was imported by the Discaya spouses here to be consignees or to use consignees. Everything is locally purchased, and all 12 luxury cars are registered,” he stated clearly in Filipino.
He further explained that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) would not register any vehicle with outstanding tax liabilities. “The Land Transportation Office will not register them if there are tax dues,” Samaniego added, underscoring the legitimacy of the family’s vehicle registrations.
Discayas Maintain Transparency Amid Investigation
The lawyer also highlighted that the Discaya couple is not trying to conceal anything from authorities. “We’re really not hiding anything. Because if it’s illegal or not registered, as a lawyer, if it’s not returned, you’re guilty, but it’s there, the [BOC] has already seen it,” he explained.
Community members and local officials have noted that the Discayas are currently under investigation for their alleged involvement in irregular flood-control projects across various regions in the country. These projects have been the subject of intense scrutiny by government agencies and Senate committees.
Senate Inquiry Questions Luxury Vehicle Ownership
During a recent Senate hearing, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada questioned the contractors about their ownership of approximately 28 luxury cars, including the 12 seized by the Bureau of Customs. Estrada described the number of vehicles as “unbelievable,” raising concerns about the source of their wealth amid the ongoing probe.
Officials reported that the investigation continues to focus on whether the luxury assets of the Discaya family were acquired through legitimate means or linked to the alleged anomalies in flood control contracts.
For more news and updates on luxury car investigations, visit Filipinokami.com.
