Customs ‘secures’ Discaya’s 12 luxury cars

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it “secured” 12 luxury vehicles owned by the Discaya family, a controversial government contractor, on Tuesday evening, Sept. 2.

This came after authorities only retrieved two high-end cars when they served a search warrant at the St. Gerrard Construction headquarters in Pasig City on Tuesday morning.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno earlier vowed to locate them without delay, warning that if the BOC were to uncover discrepancies, it will collect all taxes and duties in full.

“Let it be clear: those hiding or abetting the concealment of these cars will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.

By the evening, seven vehicles were surrendered to Customs at the family’s business compound. The remaining three were still in service centers for repair, but will be eventually given to authorities.

Nepomuceno said the BOC only has complete information on the 12 high-end cars.

The following were covered by the search warrant: Toyota LC300 3.3 V6 ZX AT SUV 2024, a Maserati Levante Modena 2022, Rolls Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes Benz G-500, Mercedes AMG G 63 AMG, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Cadillac Escalade, a GMC Yukon Denali SUV and two Lincoln Navigator.

“All subject vehicles have been formally sealed by Customs and are under round-the-clock guard by personnel of the BOC and the Philippine Coast Guard,” the BOC said in a statement.

“With all 12 luxury vehicles now accounted for, the BOC continues to verify their importation records to determine compliance with Customs laws,” the agency said. “Should discrepancies be established, appropriate enforcement and legal actions will be undertaken pursuant to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.”

Discaya luxury cars

Sarah Discaya and husband Curlee previously said in media interviews that they own 40 luxury vehicles. However, during Monday’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, which investigated shady government flood control projects, Sarah said they only own 28 luxury cars.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada noted the discrepancy.

“Ayon sa aking nakalap na impormasyon, nasa 80 sasakyan ang pagmamay-ari ng mag-asawang Discaya at ng kanilang mga kumpanya. Mula sa 80, nasa humigit kumulang 40 ang luxury vehicles,” Estrada said in a privilege speech on Tuesday.

[Translation: Based on the information I gathered, the Discaya couple and their companies own 80 cars. Of the 80, around 40 are luxury vehicles.]

The collection of luxury cars did not sit well with senators as firms under the Discaya clan have cornered billions of pesos in infrastructure projects through the years.

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