SEIZED DISCAYA LUXURY VEHICLES AUCTIONED; PROCEEDS TO GO TO STATE COFFERS – PALACE

THE administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public on Thursday that proceeds from the auction of seven luxury vehicles owned by the Discayas, estimated to be worth more than P103 million, will be remitted to the national treasury under its anti-corruption drive.

“Bilang tugon sa utos ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na maibalik ang pera ng taumbayan mula sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects, sinimulan na kaninang umaga ang pag-auction sa pitong mamahaling sasakyan ng mga Discaya na nakumpiska sa Bureau of Customs (BOC),” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“Ayon sa BOC, sa pangunguna ni Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, makakaasa ang taumbayan na lahat ng proceeds mula sa auction ay agad na iri-remit sa national treasury. Ibig sabihin, buong-buo na maibabalik ang pondo sa kaban ng bayan,” Castro stressed.

The BOC auction held at the South Harbor in Port Area in Manila showed the President’s commitment and seriousness in ensuring that illegal activities will not be tolerated in government, and that unscrupulous officials will be held accountable.

Citing the BOC statement, Castro said Thursday’s auction is an initial step in recovering stolen government funds, adding the agency is also looking at 14 construction companies.

“Mahigit tatlong buwan pa lang simula nang paimbestigahan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang isyu ng korapsyon, may nakikita nang resulta ang taumbayan,” she pointed out.

“Isa itong patunay sa seryosong paghahabol ng Pangulo sa mga iligal na gawain ng mga korap sa pamahalaan.”

Citing irregularities in their importation and documentation, the BOC has seized luxury vehicles owned by couple Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, one of the top contractors implicated in the flood control projects corruption.

Among the vehicles auctioned on Thursday are a Toyota Tundra (2022), Toyota Sequoia (2023), Bentley Bentayga (2022), Rolls-Royce Cullinan (2023), Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus (2019), Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG (2022) and Lincoln Navigator L (2021).

SOLD

Meanwhile, initial results of public auction of the Discaya-owned luxury vehicles showed three being sold during the public auction conducted by the BOC.

The sold vehicles were the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 2022- winner: Simplex Industrial Corp. (Bid P15,611,710); Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus (2019) – winner: Simplex Industrial (Bid P15,500,000); and the Lincoln Navigator L (2021) – winner: Lesentrell Jewelries (Bid P7,100,000).