Protesters Demand Justice at Discaya-Owned Company
Flood survivors and environmental advocates gathered early Thursday morning to protest at the headquarters of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation, a company owned by the Discaya family in Pasig City. The demonstrators hurled mud and rocks and scrawled words like “magnanakaw” (thief) and “ikulong” (put to jail) on the company gates, voicing their anger over alleged irregularities in flood-control projects.
“Magnanakaw! Ikulong!” chanted the protesters, calling for accountability from Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya and her husband, Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya. They urged the couple to face the public and answer for their suspected role in the controversial flood-control contracts. Community members said the crowd even pushed against the compound gates, demanding the Discayas show themselves.
Legal Threats and Police Protection Calls
Following the protest, the Discaya family, through their lawyer Cornelio Samaniego III, announced plans to file criminal charges against the protest organizers. “We will file a criminal case against the organizer. We are collating evidence based on CCTV,” Samaniego told local media in Filipino.
He added that the Discayas and their relatives are deeply frightened by the ongoing events. “The spouses Discaya are very scared, their children are very traumatized, their relatives, too, are very scared of what’s happening,” the lawyer said.
Samaniego also appealed to Philippine National Police (PNP) Acting Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to ensure protection for the Discaya family. “This is not just about the Discayas. This is also about the surrounding community, the other innocent people, that will also be affected by the careless actions of these progressive groups,” he stressed.
Government Scrutiny on Flood-Control Projects
Amid the controversy, officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., have intensified investigations into the flood-control contracts linked to the Discayas. Authorities highlighted that these projects have endangered residents in flood-prone areas.
Earlier this year, President Marcos Jr. disclosed that out of 2,409 accredited contractors, only 15 were awarded contracts worth P100 billion for flood mitigation from July 2022 to May 2025. Among these 15 contractors, two companies owned by the Discayas—Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation and St. Timothy Construction Corporation—secured contracts.
Over the three-year period, the Discaya family reportedly won more than P30 billion in flood-control contracts from the Department of Public Works and Highways. St. Gerrard Construction is one of nine Discaya-owned construction firms whose licenses were revoked by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board on Thursday.
The revocation followed Sarah Discaya’s admission before the Senate blue ribbon committee that some of their companies sometimes submitted multiple bids on the same contract, raising questions about bidding irregularities.
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigations
The flood-control scandal has sparked public outrage, with affected communities demanding transparency and justice. Local leaders have noted that the alleged anomalies have placed many Filipinos’ lives at risk, especially those living in vulnerable, flood-prone locations.
As investigations proceed, officials continue to urge vigilance and accountability in awarding government contracts to prevent further harm to citizens.
For more news and updates on flood-control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
