MANILA, Philippines – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday revealed nine construction firms allegedly connected to the family of former Pasig mayoralty candidate Sarah Discaya during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on questionable flood control projects.
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| Photos from Facebook/Senator Risa Hontiveros |
Hontiveros presented calling cards under the names of Pacifico and Curlee Discaya, tying them to the companies despite Sarah Discaya’s claim that she had already divested from most of them.
She emphasized that all nine cards were linked to Pacifico Discaya II, Sarah’s husband.
“Siyam na calling cards, 9 na kumpanya lahat sa pangalan ni Pacifico o Curlee Discaya,” Hontiveros said.
The disclosure followed Sarah’s admission that she remains chief finance officer of her firms, though she insisted she now manages only Alpha and Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation.
She said she had turned over her shares in St. Timothy Construction Corporation to her husband’s niece, Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando.
Hontiveros countered that the Discayas remain connected to the firms and that proper divestment requirements had not been met.
The companies flagged include Alpha and Omega, St. Timothy, St. Gerrard, Elite General Contractor, St. Matthew, Great Pacific Builders, YPR General Contractor, Amethyst Horizon Builders, and Way Maker OPC.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Senator Risa Hontiveros |
Discaya admitted these firms often competed against one another in government biddings.
She disclosed that in 2022 alone, they joined 491 flood control project bids and won 71 contracts.
Senators said this setup amounted to a “mock bidding” since whichever company won, the family still benefited.
Pressed by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Discaya agreed with his assessment.
Senator Erwin Tulfo bluntly described the practice as “nagbibidding-biddingan.”
Discaya testified that her family has been in the construction business for 23 years.
— The Summit Express