Cartoon by: Ivan Pasilan
Published by: Christine Palcon
Date published: January 23, 2025
Time published: 2:22 PM
A ₱96.5 million flood control project in Davao Occidental was supposed to protect thousands of people from devastating storms. Instead, it turned out to be a ghost project—and on January 13, 2026, contractor Sarah Discaya pleaded “not guilty” to charges over what investigators are calling another classic case of public funds gone missing.
The project that was assigned to Discaya’s St. Timothy Construction Corporation in January 2022 was meant to build flood walls due to Davao being prone to disasters—In 2023, floods across the Davao region affected over 61,525 people, 5 homes were partially damaged, and 2 homes were completely damaged. Agricultural damages caused ₱105 million as well. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon stated that during an inspection, the project was found to have only begun in September 2025 despite being declared to be completed and fully paid for in 2022.
How many more floods must we endure for the government to realize that lives matter more than their luxury bags worth hundred thousands?
Say no more to sugarcoating, let’s just call this what it is—graft and corruption. We have countless proofs pointing out the elephant in the room: Sarah Discaya and her ghost projects, yet she still pleaded not guilty. Every peso, every centavo poured into this “ghost project” was taken from hardworking Filipinos who expect their government to use tax money for things that are urgent. How did a project this big get approved without proper inspections? It’s as if they all have something to do with this.
Be ready for the big surprise because this case is just the tip of the iceberg: the 2025 COA report flagged 4 more flood control “ghost” projects worth ₱330 million in Bulacan. The budget for flood preventions should never be spent on a rolls royce with a cute umbrella—flood control projects are not luxury.
In a country hit by dozens of storms each year, it’s a matter of life and death. How do flood control contractors afford to sit in their luxury homes while watching thousands of Filipinos drown? This is a slap in the face to every Filipino who works extra hours just to make ends meet, every farmer who counts on sunny weathers, and every child who deserves a safe place to sleep in.
Sarah Discaya and other contractors pleading “not guilty” explains a painful truth about our system: a homeless man who steals a piece of bread to survive can face years behind bars, yet those who bag millions meant to shield our country for disasters walk free. It’s clear—justice in our country too often bends to protect the powerful, leaving the most vulnerable ones to bear the harshest consequences.
We lock up people who steal to eat, but not those who steal to live like kings and queens? Can we really call this justice? Why are we letting public money meant for life-saving infrastructures become a fund for people like Sarah Discaya who buys luxury cars because a cute umbrella caught her eye?
The evidence is being served directly in our mouths—the government just chooses to turn a blind eye to the truth. If Discaya won’t be held accountable, who will be, a ghost?
Our justice system moves at a snail’s pace, and we can no longer wait for it. We need transparency and accountability—that every peso meant for the people’s health and safety actually reaches them—because when projects are real, lives are saved.
REFERENCES:
[1] Inquirer net. (2026, January 13). Sarah Discaya pleads not guilty to graft raps during Cebu arraignment. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2167369/sara-discaya-pleads-not-guilty-to-graft-raps-during-cebu-arraignment
[2] GMA News Online. (2025, September 12). DPWH to sue execs, contractors linked to Oriental Mindoro flood control anomalies. GMA Integrated News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/958924/dpwh-sue-contractors-oriental-mindoro-flood-control-projects/story/
[3] Inquirer net. (2025, October 23). DPWH sues execs, contractors over bogus flood control projects. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2129214/dpwh-files-complaints-at-ombudsman-over-anomalous-flood-control-projects-in-la-union-davao-occidental
[4] GMA News Online. (2023, February 14). OCD: More than 61K people affected by Davao region floods. GMA Integrated News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/861896/ocd-more-than-61k-people-affected-by-davao-region-floods/story/?amp&need_sec_link=1&sec_link_scene=im&theme=light
[5] Inquirer net. (2025, September 27). Dizon orders Davao execs to explain P96.5-M ‘ghost project’. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2116351/dizon-orders-davao-execs-to-explain-p96-5-m-ghost-project
[6] Inquirer net. (2025, December 18). COA flags 4 flood control projects worth P330M in Bulacan. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2156240/coa-flags-4-flood-control-projects-worth-p330m-in-bulacan
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