P96-M 2022 ‘ghost project’ tied to Discayas bared in Davao Occidental

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

‘CRIME SCENE’. Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) special adviser Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the PHP96.5-million flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, flagged as a ghost project on Thursday (Sept. 25, 2025). Magalong declared the construction site, awarded to the Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction Corp., a crime scene. (Photo: ICI via PNA)

MANILA – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) uncovered a PHP96.5-million “ghost project” in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, awarded to St. Timothy Construction Corp., a company owned by controversial government contractors Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah Rowena ‘Sarah’ Discaya.

The project, listed as the Construction of Concrete Revetment, was declared “fully paid and completed” as early as 2022.

But according to residents and barangay officials, construction only began two to three weeks ago.

ICI special adviser and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who joined Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon in inspecting the site on Thursday, immediately ordered the suspension of the works and declared the area a “crime scene.

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The ICI noted that the discovery adds to the growing list of questionable flood control and infrastructure projects tied to the Discaya group, already under scrutiny for irregularities nationwide.