Metro Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) earned over P38.2 million from the initial auction of three questionable luxury cars of contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Two luxury vehicles were sold to Simplex Industrial Corp, a distributor of rubber sealing products: the Mercedes Benz G63 at P15.6 million, and the Mercedes Benz G500 Brabus at P15.5 million – double the floor price.
Discaya’s Lincoln Navigator was sold for P7.1 million – close to the designated price – to Lesentrell Jewelries, a jewelry shop.
A company representative, who introduced himself as a friend of the new owner, participated in the bidding and said the car will be used for personal reasons.
“Ibebenta din ‘yata, baka tumaas daw po ang presyo,” Ladislao Matawa said.
[Translation: They might sell it as well. Its value may even go higher.]
Four other luxury vehicles, including the popular Rolls Royce Cullinan that Sarah bought because of an umbrella, were unsold. The others are: Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, and Bentley Bentayga.
Chris Bendijo, Customs deputy chief of staff, said the floor prices of the remaining vehicles may be lowered to attract buyers, depending on the market value.
“In the conversation that I had with one of the bidders, they were saying na mas ideal kung maibaba na ‘yung 30 million range ‘yung Rolls Royce [it is ideal if the Rolls Royce will be brought down to P30 million] and definitely they will be participating in future auctions if that would be the price range,” he said. The car was priced at over P45 million.
The BOC said it will release the new prices after five days and may hold the auction in the next few weeks.
The government seized the seven vehicles with no import entries and payment certificates. The customs legal division is reviewing the possible auction of six other Discaya vehicles without proper documents.
The Discayas have been at the front and center of the flood control probe for cornering big-ticket infrastructure projects, with some found substandard and non-existent, since 2016. Ombudsman Boying Remulla earlier said the next case to be filed with the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan will include the contractor couple.
Auction proceeds, integrity
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said proceeds of the auction will be remitted to the Bureau of the Treasury, and eventually fund government programs.
He also vouched for the integrity of the bidding process amid concerns that bidders may have ties to the Discayas.
“Sa batas ng ating customs, hindi pwedeng bumili nag-import nyan at dating may-ari bawal iyon,” said Nepomuceno.
[Translation: Under customs rules, importer and owner cannot buy the vehicles.]
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, who attended the ceremony, said this marked the beginning of asset recovery and justice to the flood control corruption.
“Naghahalong galit at tuwa itong araw na ‘to. Galit dahil nakikita natin ngayon ‘yung lahat ng ibebenta ngayon, pera nating lahat ‘to eh. Pera natin ‘yan,” he said.
[Translation: It’s a mix of anger and joy on this day. Anger because the cars we’re selling now were from our own taxes.]
Land Transportation Office Chairman Markus Lacanilao said the agency will assist winning bidders in the transfer of vehicle ownership and, if they prefer, a change of license plate for security purposes.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go and Independent Commission for Infrastructure Chairman Andres Reyes also joined the ceremony at the BOC headquarters in Manila.
