Assistant Commission of Bureau of Customs Speaks on Auction of Discaya Luxury Cars
The Bureau of Customs is set to hold an auction of 13 luxury cars of the Discayas and the selling is expected to gather up to P200 million.
Curlee and Sarah Discayas are the most popular contractors tagged in the flood control mess in the Philippines. The said supposed multi-billion corruption brought thousands of people in the streets last September 21. They joined the “Trillion Peso March” to call for an end to corruption in the country.
After the flood control issue broke out, video clips of the past interviews of the Discayas circulated on social media. In the said interviews with Julius Babao and Korina Sanchez, the contractors flaunted their lavish lifestyle. It was made known that they have several luxury cars.
During a Senate flood probe, Sarah Discaya admitted that she owns 9 construction companies and the first lost their contractor’s license amid the issue. Amid the issue, she also confirmed that they own 28 luxury cars and several other vehicles.
At least 12 luxury cars of the Discayas were also placed under the custody of the Bureau of Customs amid the flood control probe. Curlee Discaya remains under the custody of the Senate for a few weeks now since he was cited in contempt. His writ of habeas corpus plea was denied by the court.
The Discayas also recently withdrew their cooperation with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure in the flood control probe. The ICI was created upon the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos and is led by former Supreme Court Justice Andres B. Reyes.
According to the ICI, the Discayas withdrew from cooperating in the flood control issue after ICI member Rogelio Singson claimed in an interview that no one has yet to qualify for to become a state witness. Recently, the Bureau of Customs spoke on the luxury cars of the Discayas.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Bureau of Customs announced that 13 luxury cars of the Discayas will be sold in an auction open to the public starting November 15. According to BOC Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla, the proceeds will go to the national treasury.
“We will be fair in valuing these cars. Ang obligasyon namin sa pagseset ng floor price nito ay dapat hindi malugi ang ating pamahalaan. Magiging fair ang aming valuation process, it will be transparent,” he said.
The Bureau of Customs expects to gather up to P200 million. According to Maronilla, the amount that will be collected from the sale of the luxury cars of the Discayas will be used to fund the priority projects of the government. Based on the report, Maronilla assured that the buyers of the luxury vehicles will have no issue with the Customs.
Following the withdrawal of the contractors from cooperating with the ICI, Ombudsman Boying Remulla says the Discayas are “possibly” protecting the Villars.