P100M from Discaya cars remitted

THE Bureau of the Treasury has received over P100 million in proceeds from the auctioned luxury vehicles of the contractor couple Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” C. Discaya and Pacifico “Curlee” F. Discaya II.

In a statement on Monday, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it turned over a total of P102.469 million to the Treasury from its auctions which began in November last year.

“The Bureau of Customs today conducted a symbolic turnover ceremony of the proceeds from the public auction of luxury vehicles registered to the Discaya family and their companies to the Bureau of the Treasury, reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the restitution of unlawfully acquired assets for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Customs said.

According to the BoC, they confiscated 13 luxury vehicles found to be against the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act for being illegally imported.

Of the total, the BoC sold nine cars, including a 2022 Toyota Tundra, 2023 Toyota Sequoia, 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, 2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus, 2021 Lincoln Navigator L, 2022 Bentley Bentayga, 2024 Lincoln Navigator and a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. 

The 2022 GMC Yukon Denali, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, the 2022 Maserati Levante Modena and the 2022 GMC Yukon XL Denali were still unsold, which the BoC said may be auctioned off to the public soon.

“The successful auction and turnover of these proceeds demonstrate the Bureau of Customs’ resolve to enforce the law while ensuring that recovered assets are returned to the Filipino people and utilized to support national development,” Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said. — Katherine K. Chan