Senate Grills Sarah Discaya on Multi-Billion-Peso Flood Projects
SARAH DISCAYA – One of the key figures at the center of the controversial flood control projects appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday, September 1. She is among the owners of Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corp., one of the top 15 contractors flagged by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for cornering billions worth of flood control projects nationwide.
During the inquiry, Discaya defended herself over a viral video interview where she appeared to claim that her companies had earned billions from projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). She insisted the clip was “spliced” or edited to omit her reference to earlier work with local governments and private clients.
“When I said DPWH, because prior to that we were in local government… They spliced the video that was taken of me and just mentioned the DPWH,” she explained. When Senator Tito Sotto asked if she was suggesting that the television station or interviewer deliberately edited her answers, Discaya replied, “I think so, Sir.”
She further clarified that her family has been in the construction industry for 23 years through firms like St. Gerrard and Alpha & Omega. “I think so, Sir, kasi I did mention that I was doing local government as well as private po,” she said. Discaya also denied accusations of “ghost projects,” stressing that every project her companies handled locally and abroad was legitimate.
The Senate hearing also revealed that the Discaya family owns nine construction firms, several of which were among those identified by President Marcos in his list of favored flood control contractors. These include St. Gerrard Construction, St. Matthew General Contractor, Alpha & Omega, Great Pacific Builders, Amethyst Horizon Builders, Way Maker OPC, St. Timothy Construction, YPR General Contractor, and Elite General Contractor.
Senators, however, remained unconvinced. Senator Jinggoy Estrada warned that Discaya could face detention if she was found lying under oath. Meanwhile, other contractors who ignored subpoenas and failed to attend the hearing were cited in contempt.
The hearing is part of the Senate’s ongoing investigation into alleged anomalies in multi-billion-peso flood control projects, which critics claim have become a major source of corruption in the country.
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